‘A dumping ground’: Concerns raised after former inmates released in Edmonton’s Chinatown

It’s a video raising eyebrows and concerns from the community.

A white Correctional Services van pulls up along the sidewalk in Edmonton’s Chinatown and releases seven people – two women and five men.

The surveillance video was taken by a camera overlooking the sidewalk of Kim Fat Market.

“Honestly it felt like it was a dumping ground,” said Kathryn Luu, the owner of Kim Fat Market.

Luu and her family say this raises safety concerns, and they believe there should be immediate reforms.

The video shows the people walking away after being dropped off.

“It was really hard to see that, because again, where are they going to go?” asked Luu.

Chinatown business owners are sounding the alarm over public safety, saying former inmates shouldn’t be released into neighbourhoods without proper support and supervision.

“We feel furious and disappointed,” said Karl Miu, the vice-chair of the Chinatown Business Association. “We hear about these incidents all the time. We don’t feel this is a good idea, just dropping off people on the streets.”

This is not the first time former detainees were seen getting released in Chinatown.

A video from Sept. 3 also shows a Correctional Services van dropping off a former detainee on 105 Avenue between 97 and 98 streets. It happened on a private property near the Pacific Mall.

‘We need clear solutions’

Community members are questioning why the former detainees are being released when services are not open.

“Many levels of government have said that they’ll do better, and this proves that they haven’t,” said Sandy Pon, the Board Chair of the Chinatown Transformation Collaborative Society. “That’s why we call for action.”

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack told reporters Monday he discussed the issue with Minister of Public Safety Mike Ellis. Knack says the city is limited with what it can do, and that governments need an action plan.

“We need to ensure that there’s a plan for every person who is released from custody into the Edmonton region,” Knack said. “We need clear solutions from the federal and provincial governments.”

In a statement to CityNews, the Public Safety Ministry says it met with Chinatown representatives and will continue to work with them to review practices.

“As approximately 80 per cent of the individuals in custody are on remand status, release dates may not be known ahead of time, and therefore Corrections works with the individuals to assist in coordinating release planning, recognizing the individual cannot legally remain in custody and must be released,” the ministry said.

But community members say they would have preferred to see individuals handed over directly to service providers and support centres, asking all levels of government for immediate action to ensure those who live and work in Chinatown are safe.