Professor Joe Hermer was recently featured in an episode titled "Clearing Homeless Encampments: Tensions Overflow in Trinity Bellwoods" by The Agenda, TVO. Professor Hermer, outreach worker Lorraine Lam, and mayor Michael Thompson weighed in with their thoughts regarding the recent incident at Trinity Bellwoods. In June, the police and security dismantled the homeless encampment at Trinity Bellwoods Park, leading to a loud outcry by the public. Professor Hermer described the clearing of this encampment as "unjustified" and a "bizarre police operation." According to Hermer, clearing homeless encampments "pushes people into more dangerous and risky situations". Professor Hermer also discussed the central problems of shelters and the types of people welcomed into parks by the city.
Professor Joe Hermer is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Sociology Department at the University of Toronto, Scarborough. He is currently working on a project called “COVID-19 Policing and Homelessness Initiative.” His research focuses on homelessness, crime victimization, and the criminal justice system.
You can watch the episode on Professor Hermer's Twitter account.