Several community members have an issue with loiterers on Main Street.
A meeting is set to be held on June 8 to address what can be done to address or assist people sitting idly on Flin Flon’s busiest street.
Several concerned groups, including Flin Flon Mayor Cal Huntley, RCMP, a representative from the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce and Main Street business owners, are likely to attend. The meeting will not be open to the public and will be arranged by the City of Flin Flon.
A letter has been filed by the chamber to the city to formally complain of unwanted loiterers near businesses on Main Street.
Main Street operators have made both formal and informal complaints about the conduct of some frequent visitors, saying some observed behaviours are bad for business.
Social media posts have alleged that, on occasion, interlopers on the sidewalk have harassed women and children. Others have mentioned public intoxication or being asked for money, alcohol or cigarettes.
“We’ve started getting client complaints of people hanging out inside [the bank] and asking people for money,” said Michael Yarowy, branch manager for RBC.
During the Flin Flon Bombers’ AGM on May 30, volunteers said the team’s boat draw was moved from Main Street to other community locations due in part to constant daytime run-ins with wanderers.
The Reminder attempted to speak with some people found sitting for long periods of time on Main Street. All refused to comment for a story.
Chamber vice-president Dianne Russell had an unorthodox suggestion to cut down on unwanted visitors – playing classical music in areas where people linger.
Multiple media reports in Canada and United States have argued that playing classical music in public places can dissuade unwanted visitors from staying at a location. The practice has been traced back to a British Columbia business owner in the 1980s.
Some northern businesses, including the Lido theatre in The Pas, have also employed the practice.
“If you have speakers in that area… I don’t know, try it?” she said.
Yarowy said his business had considered the idea in the past, but never actually began playing the tunes.
The practice of playing classical music or using devices that emit a high-frequency hum to scare off unwanted visitors has been criticized in the past. Critics argue that the speakers that are used to play the music can be hijacked or broken by passers-by.