Larissa Stewart has been part of her family’s business on Lorne Street in Sudbury for two decades, but recent years have presented challenges. The House of Broadloom carpet and flooring store is located near the Energy Court parking lot, which has transformed into a homeless campsite. Stewart expressed concerns about the escalating situation, citing incidents like fires in garbage bins and break-ins, prompting increased security measures at the store.
With the city and Greater Sudbury police announcing a 30-day crackdown on public drug use downtown, directing individuals to Energy Court while enhancing social services for the homeless, Stewart worries about the effectiveness of this approach. She emphasized the need for better communication and understanding of the community’s daily struggles.
Colin Roberts, owner of Covalin Electrical Supply near Energy Court, shared similar safety concerns and customer feedback that led to relocating the business to Grey Street. Roberts questioned the city’s plan to expand services at Energy Court, expressing frustration over the distribution of needles and enabling drug use.
Store manager Alex Houle echoed these sentiments, describing Energy Court as a potential “powder keg” and criticizing the city’s approach as merely delaying inevitable issues. He emphasized the importance of more proactive measures to address the root problems rather than enabling open drug use.
The businesses in the area stress the urgency for a comprehensive solution that addresses the underlying issues causing safety concerns and disruptions in the community.