Woman harassed by B.C. homeless camp lauds ‘chicken manure’ solution

The revelation that a British Columbia city was using chicken manure to rid a neighbourhood of a homeless encampment understandably making “WTF” headlines this week and it wasn’t long until city officials were apologizing for the whole affair.

The local government has apologized and said there is something rotten about the tactic and crews have removed the manure, tucking their tails and leaving a noted problem not closer to a resolution.

But let's slow the hate train down for a moment and consider, is it really that bad? The practice may be crude, but shouldn’t someone be commended for taking action, and finding a green solution at that?

Chicken manure is a green solution. It is highly biodegradable and, one assumes, locally produced. It stinks for a few days and then it goes away. That is, fingers crossed, none of it is tainted by avian influenza.

[ More Brew: B.C. city apologizes for rousting homeless with manure ]

What is certain is that the homeless camp that has been constructed needs to go, at least according to taxpaying citizens who claim it is ruining their lives.

One woman who feared being identified told the Canadian Press that something had to be done. The homeless population had grown too comfortable there and things were becoming very awkward for the neighbours.

She said people would sleep under her window, try to come into her home and leave drug paraphernalia littered around her property. They had even taken to defecating in her garden.

This begs the question, if they are comfortable with that, why wouldn't they be comfortable with a little chicken poop?

Abbotsford mayor Bruce Banman said in a statement he was sorry for how the city handled the situation and part of their focus was now on "repairing our relationship with the homeless community."

Municipalities have a responsibility to offer care for homeless population. That doesn't change from big cities like Toronto and Vancouver to smaller ones like Abbotsford or otherwise.

Shelter beds, outreach programs, support and, hopefully a permanent solution. But what cities don't owe homeless communities is the right to bunk down anywhere, at the cost of others.

If a homeless village has dug in roots and is ruining someone else's community, scaring neighbours and destroying property, the city has the responsibility to find a solution.

Smearing chicken manure everywhere seems a little medieval. And the great uncertainty is the health concerns.

The report that originally brought this to light brought up concerns about an avian influenza, which can be spread via manure. The local health authority told them chicken manure is commonly used on farmland and impact of public health is low, though they had some concerns.

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You may be surprised to learn that this isn't the first time the practice has been used. Surrey, B.C., tried the tactic a few years ago. That incident ended the same way – with the manure being removed.

Usually when a camp is cleared, police and bylaw officers stomp through the area. And more often than not the camp returns.

Years ago, Vancouver's parks commissioner proposed the permanent establishment of a tent city. The idea of criticized by homeless advocate Judy Graves, who said permanent homeless villages draw crime to the area and actually do more damage that good to the homeless community.

The best solution is to provide actual shelter beds, actual support. Those aren't always available, and even if they were, not everyone would subscribe.

Chicken manure may have been a poorly-conceived solution. But does that mean the camp should be left to stand, even when neighbours complain about dirty needle and human feces being dumped in their yards?