Canada Post has suspended mail delivery to homes surrounding a New Glasgow homeless shelter, citing concerns for the safety of its employees.

According to Saltwire, residents near Northstar Shelter and Support Services on Marsh Street were notified in a Sept. 1 letter that regular delivery had been halted.

“We want to provide our customers with a reliable postal service, and interrupting your service is a last resort,” Canada Post wrote. “However, it was determined that there is a safety concern for our delivery agent.”

The Crown corporation did not disclose the incident or conditions that prompted its decision. It said temporary community mailboxes would be installed for affected residents, although that process could take several weeks.

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Neighbours claim the safety concerns stem from violence, threats and public drug use involving people associated with the shelter.

“It’s dangerous around here,” resident Brett Gray told the Chronicle Herald. Gray, who lives across from Northstar with his wife and two young children, said he understands why Canada Post stopped delivery.

“As a parent, it’s terrifying. I can’t take them out in the yard to play,” he said.

Northstar executive director Lisa Deyoung disputed the suggestion that a shelter resident was responsible. She said the disruption resulted from the behaviour of an individual who sometimes spends time outside the facility but does not live there.

The mail stoppage is the latest flashpoint in a bitter dispute between the shelter and surrounding community.

Neighbours have complained for years about alleged open drug use, thefts, assaults and threatening conduct. Videos circulating online reportedly included an incident in which one man chased another while carrying an axe.

Three weeks before the mail suspension, New Glasgow town council passed a motion calling on Northstar to cease operations “immediately.”

Canada Post said normal delivery will resume when it determines the area is safe for its workers.