Town extends contract with private security company
Published 12:07 pm Friday, April 17, 2026
The Town of Smithers will continue to have a private security company monitor around the temporary sheltering area in Veteran’s Park and the downtown core.
At the regular meeting of council on April 14, council voted to direct staff to extend the security contract for another eight months until the end of November 2026, at a cost of $320,000 using Regional Benefits Alliance funding, and report back to council in June of 2026.
In September 2025, council allocated money and awarded a contract for security coverage at the shelter and periodic roving patrols of the downtown core and strategic community locations.
Security personnel started patrolling from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and statutory holidays beginning in October 2025. At the time, the town stated the enhanced security presence will provide consistent monitoring, deter disruptive behaviour, and support the safety and well-being of temporary shelter residents and the community.
In the fall, council allocated $235,000 for the security and it was fully funded through Resource Benefits Alliance funding.
The contract was awarded to Blue Hawk Security. This comes after the seasonal warming shelter that opened last fall closed at the end of March.
A temporary emergency warming shelter in Smithers operated 24/7 at 3892 3rd Avenue (former Fabrications building) starting in November 2025. It was operated by the Bulkley Valley Harm Reduction Society with BC Housing funding, and offered several beds, hot meals, and services to address homelessness.
Since it closed, the encampment near town hall has seen an increase in the number of tents at the site.
Smithers Community Safety Officer and Bylaw Enforcement Officer Carl Chad said overall observations during the warming shelter’s operation indicate a reduction in certain types of bylaw-related files. Notably, Bovill Square experienced a measurable improvement.
To address some of the housing issues, BC Housing is planning to build 60 new homes at 3879 Alfred Avenue. The supportive housing project is projected to be completed in 2028.
BC Housing also said they will continue to work with the town to explore future opportunities. This includes opportunities for a homeless and encampment response temporary housing (HEARTH) site in the community.
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