- Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

When World Snow Day activities were cancelled in Grey-Bruce on Sunday because of wind and cold, we knew it was really cold.

We started to ask where some of the highest-risk individuals in our community could go in these dangerously cold conditions.

Monday morning we received notice from the City of Owen Sound that warming stations are located at the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library from 9:30am to 9:00pm, the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre from 8:00am to 11:00pm and the Bayshore Community Centre from 8:00am to 11:00pm.

But we know people also need shelter at night -  where could people go to keep from freezing?

Safe 'n Sound was created in response to the closure of the 8th Street Salvation Army men's shelter. During their working hours – Monday to Friday 10 a.m. until 4 - they work with Y Housing to get people a place to live, temporarily or permanently, as well as supplying laundry facilities, food and support.

When I called Safe 'n Sound's main number at 10:40 p.m. there was a message that gave another number to call.  That emergency line is answered by volunteers  who can offer people a night or two in local motel rooms, But that after-hours line is only answered 4:30 to 10:30.

Y Housing has primary responsibility for emergency housing in Grey County. From their website: “Our first priority is ensuring you are safe and have access to basic needs. If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness contact a YMCA Housing Support Worker at 519-371-9230”.

This is a daytime number, and when we called it at 10:40 p.m. tonight their message says “after 4:30 call 211”.

The Grey County Housing website reads - “Y Housing staff are available every day until 10:00 p.m. to provide emergency housing in Grey County. At this time there is no waiting list for emergency housing in Grey County. If you know anyone in need of emergency housing, please encourage them to call Y Housing at 519-364-3163 ext. 224.”

That number, should you call it at 10:40 p.m., also tells you to call 211.

We did.  211 told us if a woman is in need of shelter the crisis number for the Women's Centre is 519-371-1600. However, if the person who is out in the cold is a man "there is nothing in Owen Sound after 10 p.m. - call the police non-emergency number 519-376-1234."

So we did. The officer on duty told us the station has the “Bartley Room”, with tables and chairs but no sleeping facilities. You just have to go to the front desk and ask at any time of the night.

Long-time advocate for Owen Sound's street people Ray Botten pointed out to city councillors and staff that the people at highest-risk for night time crises - the abused, the mentally ill and the addicts – may  be the least likely to present themselves at the desk of the police station out of fear or mistrust. He said he was willing to accompany anyone who did want to go.

Botten said that he was regularly out at night and was concerned that one morning someone would be found dead of the cold. He insisted that the situation needs to be dealt with before such a tragedy happens in our city.