The Saskatoon Fire Department was set to start the clean up and fencing process in the 20th Street West and Avenue K South areas, but put the process on hold after protests.

Crews had arrived Thursday morning to start the clean up process when protesters encircled their vehicles and began to shout derogatory and vulgar comments. Some protesters were also described climbing on top of the fencing materials. The SFD says most of the protesters were not homeless encampment occupants.

The protests mean clean-up of lots 1112 and 1202 19th Street West are on hold until the City and partner agencies plan their next steps.

Acting Fire Chief Yvonne Raymer says the 301 Avenue K South parking lot encampment is also on hold after the SFD received notice of a King’s Bench Court filing, with legal proceedings taking place next week.

“Fire did not have to step back from that parking lot, we could have cleaned it up, but we want to respect the legal process and give them that say.”

Notices were posted in the area early this month for clean-up to begin on Wednesday, but the date was later moved to Thursday. The SFD and Salvation Army crews had followed City protocol by going out roughly twice a week to offer supports to people at the sites since the notice was posted.

The decision to clean-up the homeless encampments came after people, businesses, and the St. Mary School shared there concerns, mentioning smoke sightings, needles, and overdoses. For St. Mary School other safety concerns were mentioned after reports of kids seeing overdoses, sexual activities during the day, and kids being chased or yelled at in the area.