The mayor of Barrie, Ont., declared a state of emergency over homeless encampments in the city Tuesday, citing concerns about public safety as a justification for the decision.

Alex Nuttall said in a news release that the residents of Barrie, a city of nearly 150,000 people north of Toronto, “have had enough” of what he described as “lawlessness.”

“Since Day 1, I have been clear that encampments are not acceptable in the City of Barrie. The people who live in tents could turn to resources available,” he said.

“If you refuse that help you cannot stay in these encampments. Our city will not allow lawlessness to take over our community.”

Nuttall said while he understands homelessness is a complex issue, encampments have resulted in health and safety issues for the community, a negative im

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