Jaimi-Lee Dean thought she had the perfect spot for her tent.
It wasn’t in Victoria Park, but was to the east of it on Paul Currelly Way.
Dean has been without a home for a number of years and like many, has been struggling to find one.
On Saturday, July 26, 2025 she set up an encampment at The Gathering Place Meditative Circle and the monument called Sheltering Form created by artist Frances Gage in honour of all victims of violence.
Dean said she thought she had the perfect spot after speaking with police.
“I just sat down to have a rest.”
A “sweet man” put a shelter over her because it started to rain on Sunday.
Talking to Dean she feels that it’s a lovely space for the community.
“I feel like in here there is no judgement.”
“So if anyone from the community wants to come and shoot the poop with “one of them,” Dean said she’d be happy to chat.
As Today’s Northumberland was speaking with Dean a Municipal By-Law officer arrived to speak about the encampment.
The By-Law officer was concerned about belongings that weren’t Dean’s that could be considered abandoned if the owner of the property wasn’t nearby.
Dean posed the question to the by-law officer stating, “say I’m sitting here at 3 a.m. with my suitcase packed and just sitting. Would I be removed?”
The by-law officer said she would be removed because you can’t camp or dwell in a municipal park between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
“But the police told me this is not part of the park?” said Dean.
The by-law officer said it’s not part of Victoria Park, but it is a town park.
“I think there is a misunderstanding,” said the by-law officer.
“The police focus on criminal law. That’s where their expertise is. We focus on regulatory law.”
Dean told the officer that she will be learning the park at 10:59:30 p.m. she will have left the park.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
