Investigation continues into deaths of two people at Brantford encampment

Investigators say they do not suspect foul play in the deaths of two people at a Brantford encampment.

The pair, who have not been identified, were found on Dec. 26 near the intersection of Clarence Street and Greenwich Street.

Police said a coroner’s investigation is underway to determine their cause of death.

In the meantime, they are asking all residents to prioritize safe drug use.

Reaction to the deaths

Tim Philp, the executive director of Rosewood House, Brantford’s largest homeless shelter, said he wasn’t surprised by the warning from police.

“They basically gave a public service announcement,” he explained. “If you’re going to use drugs, you should use them safely and contact addictions facilities if you want to get away from it.”

The deaths have also sparked renewed concerns about the city’s response to the homelessness crisis and urban encampments.

“A lot of people have been sort of chased out of the more visible locations here in Brantford,” said Philp. “They go down to the river, and when they’re out of sight, they’re out of mind and everybody leaves them alone.”

Mayor Kevin Davis admits outreach efforts can be challenging.

“Although the city’s dedicated homelessness response team works to help individuals find alternative shelter, we may not always be aware of every encampment in the city,” he said in a media release.

That team, which includes outreach workers, police and emergency services, aims to connect those living in encampments with local resources and shelter spaces.

Davis also encourages residents to report any new encampments that pop up.

“The city has made a tremendous effort reach out to these people and let them know that there are shelter beds available, that there is help for them,” said Philp. “Unfortunately, they’re not always successful in getting people to use it.”

SOAR Community Services, a not-for-profit homelessness support centre, also said they were saddened by the deaths.

“We are working with our partners to support vulnerable individuals and hope we can avoid further loss of life,” they explained in a media release. “We encourage anyone who is unhoused to access emergency shelter intake services.”

“The provincial government has come up with some money that is to try and reduce the encampments,” said Philp. “This isn’t just a Brantford problem. It’s a problem everywhere. Every major city has a problem with encampments.”