Victoria church criticized for building wall to keep homeless away

A church in Victoria, B.C. is drawing criticism for putting up a concrete-block wall and iron fence to keep drug users and homeless people off its front steps.

Central Baptist Church said its goal was to create a safer environment for its attendees, as well as its neighbours on Pandora Avenue.

"We care about our street community, absolutely, but we also care about the safety of thenine-year-old girl coming in with her group of friends for an event with the youth," said Pastor Barton Priebe.

He said it was mostly drug dealers and drug usersfound on the front stoop, leading to what he described as a "constant" need to clean up discarded needles and other garbage.

City officialssaid the wallhas been "in the works" for over two years and was approved by council.

"The building owner has a right to protect their property," said CouncillorCharlayneThornton-Joe.

Homeless advocates not happy

But homeless advocates say there could have been a better solution to the issue.

"All we're doing with that fenceis moving them to another location," said Al Tysick, who runs the Dandelion Society. "That's not the answer."

Grant McKenzie, who works with the Our Place Society community centre, agrees.

"I think it's a bit of a metaphor for what's happening in the city we're building walls instead of reaching out and helping people."

Despite the backlash, Central Baptist Church said it's going to keep the barrier.

With files from CHEK News