Clarification of an incident involving a business and an individual experiencing homelessness.
A video shared widely online this week has raised concerns about an interaction between a local business owner and a man experiencing homelessness. In the footage, the business owner is seen pouring a bucket of water onto the sidewalk while another person sweeps the water to the curb. They are cleaning the sidewalk beside an individual underneath a blue tarp. Some online posts have suggested that water was intentionally poured onto the individual. It is important to provide the full context to what is actually happening in the video.
For several months, the individual in the video has been living in and beside a recessed doorway that also serves as an entrance to residential units. He experiences significant, complex challenges and is well-known to local outreach workers. He receives regular support from teams who check on his well-being, assist with connections to services, and help him access resources as needed and accepted.
Each day, the nearby business owner cleans the shared entrance area and surrounding sidewalk as part of her routine to keep the space safe and sanitary for residents living upstairs, for the individual as well as for people using the sidewalk. This includes removing debris such as food waste, bird droppings, urine, and feces and then rinsing the ground with a bucket of water.
When the individual is present, she typically asks if she can clean around him. Some days he moves willingly; other days he prefers not to. This variability is common given the challenges he faces. The business owner has sought guidance from outreach teams on how to manage these situations respectfully and safely.
At the moment captured in the video, she was doing her usual end-of-day cleaning. The water being poured was used to rinse the walkway and sidewalk, which is frequently urine-stained. The person sweeping was moving the dirty water away from the tarped area.
This situation reflects a broader challenge faced by many communities: vulnerable individuals seeking shelter in public spaces, and business owners trying to maintain clean and safe entrances for residents, customers, and staff. It is not a story of wrongdoing — it is a story of two people, each navigating difficult circumstances in a shared environment.
A Reminder About Context and Compassion
In an age where a few seconds of video can circulate instantly, it is easy for misunderstandings to arise. When conclusions are drawn without the full story, it can cause real harm — to reputations, to relationships, and to efforts to support vulnerable individuals.
Before judging or condemning anyone, it is important to remember that most situations are more complex than what a brief video clip can capture. Compassion requires extending understanding to everyone involved — including the individual living outside and the business owner who has been mischaracterized despite doing her best to manage a challenging situation thoughtfully.
Our Ongoing Commitment
As a community, we remain committed to:
Supporting vulnerable individuals with dignity, daily outreach, and connection to services.
Supporting business owners who are trying to maintain safe, clean storefronts amid increasingly complex street-level realities.
Encouraging accurate, responsible communication so our community can respond constructively rather than reactively.
This situation is a reminder of the importance of pausing, seeking clarity, and approaching one another with empathy — especially when the full story cannot be seen through the lens of a single video.
Most likely members of the business community, especially front line staff, will be engaged in conversation on the incident. A press release went out today, with limited detail for the public, but as members of the BIA downtown community, it's important that you and your staff are given the full context of the incident.
For reference, here is a link to the press release that went out today: Downtown Kingston BIA Responds to Incident Involving a Business Owner an Individual Experiencing Homelessness.pdf
For further context, The Kingston Whig Standard delivered outstanding reporting on the event: https://www.thewhig.com/news/local-news/kingston-store-owner-calls-incident-with-homeless-man-a-misunderstanding
As for the future of the individual, outreach workers will continue to monitor his situation while trying to persuade the individual to accept shelter and other services.
As a reminder, BIA members have access to a supportive, professional team 7 days a week by contacting Welcoming Streets. Please use this resource. Click for more information: member.downtownkingston.ca/welcoming-streets
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call me directly on my cell, 613-661-4661, of, if you are more comfortable texting, you can text me. I will respond as I am able.
Marijo
