Stripped of their childhood: Five children call on city to take action

Ashley Harrington and her children. (Stefanie Masotti/CTV News Windsor)

A Windsor mother and her five children are calling on the City of Windsor to dismantle a growing encampment behind their Crawford Avenue home.

Ashley Harrington’s children range from seven to 13 years of age and love to play outside in the yard, but the encampment and activity taking place behind their home often results in scary situations for them.Homeless encampment in Windsor, Ont. behind Crawford Avenue on Aug. 1, 2024. (Stefanie Masotti/CTV News Windsor)

“We would hear them banging and yelling,” said Lillian, 12, about the people living in tents behind their home. “I'm scared.”

“It's an entire village,” said Harrington. The threatening activity is not limited to the backyard.

According to Harrington in July, one women allegedly stumbled on their front lawn and, a second women collapsed on the front porch.

"The woman had a needle still stuck in her arm," detailed Harrington.

“It was pretty gross,” said Rylie, 13. “My mom told them to go away and then they started running.”

Harrington said precarious activity is stripping their childhood.

“They are banging on the fence and screaming my daughter's name and trying to entice the children to come into the back.”

“That's my job, 24/7,” said Harrington. “My job is to protect them, to make them feel safe, but also keep them healthy, keep them outside, keep them running around.”

She has filed more than a dozen complaints to the City of Windsor’s 311 Centre.Homeless encampment in Windsor, Ont. behind Crawford Avenue on Aug. 1, 2024. (Stefanie Masotti/CTV News Windsor)

“They're ignoring the problem,” claimed Harrington. “It's the biggest circle on the planet. I call 311. They put in a report. They send it to my email and they say, hey, we're taking care of it.”

However, she is not satisfied with the results.

“Where's the proof? I see none. I don't see city workers come out.”

In the first six months of 2024, there have been 105 reports of encampments within the city and 90 responses to homelessness, according to the City of Windsor.

“If we're talking about that area, it's a private landowner," said Kirk Whittal, executive director of Housing and Children's Services for the City of Windsor. “The city can't just go in and clear everything out unless it's a super unsafe situation.”

Whittal said they have been in touch with the landowner and are working with bylaw enforcement, but officials will not release the name of the property owner.

CTV News has reached out to Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Officials said they do not own the property between the track and Harrington's backyard.

Harrington is left feeling frustrated that no one will take responsibility for her living situation.

“If I don't clean up my yard properly, I'm being fined, ticketed,” she argued. “I shouldn't have to be scared for my children to go out.”