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An increase in illegal encampments along the Bow and Elbow rivers are increasingly sources of social disorder and criminal activity — and a growing source of frustration among residents, says an inner-city councillor.

Ward 9 Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra said many of his constituents in Inglewood and Ramsay are very concerned about a recent uptick in property-related crimes, such as theft from homes and vehicles, and believe homeless camps are to blame.

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“This theft is actually starting to turn violent,” Carra said during Monday’s council meeting. “In Ward 9 river communities, there is a sense that these thefts are happening on a daily basis and that more brazen crimes are starting to occur.

“Much of this crime, rightly or wrongly, has been associated with encampments that we have seen along the river over the last six months,” he said.

Last month, several residents in Inglewood stormed a homeless camp in a wooded area to reclaim allegedly stolen items, including bicycles, computers, tools and a baby carrier.

At a recent community meeting that included stakeholders from the city and police department, residents were told the Partner Agency Liaison team did not have enough funding to address the increase in encampments or clean up the areas.