HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-17 Public Comment - T. Jenkins - SanctuaryFrom: Tracie Jenkins [mailto:traciemjenkins@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 6, 2017 9:08 PM
To: Chris Kukulski <CKukulski@BOZEMAN.NET>
Cc: Chuck Winn <CWinn@BOZEMAN.NET>
Subject: Fwd: NO to Sanctuary City (After 25 Years in MT, I Currently Live in One)
Hi Chris!
Tonight I sent this to Mayor Taylor, Deputy Mayor Andrus and all the City
Commissioners. Wanted you to get a copy too. I've also CC'd your Assistant City Manager on
this email. Hope all is well with you and your family.
Dear Mayor Taylor,
Tonight KBZK reported "It's a packed house at tonight's Bozeman City Commission
meeting as they consider naming Bozeman a Sanctuary City."
I am writing to beg you to not let this happen to our beautiful, family friendly
Bozeman. After spending 25 years in Montana, the past 11 in Bozeman, I moved to
Eugene, OR this past summer. Eugene is a Sanctuary City and I'm here to tell you the
quality of life for legal, law abiding citizens is greatly affected in so many negative
ways by those fleeing to sanctuary.
Crime is sky high in Eugene. When illegal aliens commit crimes they are, for the
most part, deported. But they then head right back to a safer place, where
immigration raids don't occur, as in a Sanctuary City. These are people who have
committed horrific crimes: theft, sexual assault, murder.
Petty crime here is at an all-time high - I can't leave ONE THING in my car over
night or vandals will break out my car windows to steal it. The interior of my car
is currently completely empty. In the 5 months I've lived here, I personally know 2
people who have had their windshields bashed in and 2 others that have had
their car stolen. In my 25 years in Montana, no one I knew had their cars stolen
or windows smashed.
Homelessness is out of control here. Our little city of 200,000 has a homeless
population equivalent to a city of 2 million. Homeless men have pitched tents in
most of our city parks and taken over green spaces, often leaving trash for others
to clean up. http://eugenedailynews.com/2016/10/eugene-residents-clean-up-
remains-of-homeless-camps/
Be prepared for increased panhandling. Last week when I was at Walmart there
were 2-3 men at every entrancement and exit. You cannot go anywhere in town
without being bombarded by people begging for
money. http://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/4636950-151/eugene-police-
chief-says-homeless-problem-worst-hes
Mentally ill have taken over our streets. It's a common occurrence to see men
pacing up and down sidewalks screaming and yelling at unseen foes.
Our downtown is dying because of the homeless, transients and thugs
harassing normal everyday people walking down the
street. http://projects.registerguard.com/rg/news/local/33488459-75/lots-of-
options-but-no-easy-answers-for-downtown-eugene-homeless-transient-
population.html.csp
Be ready to hire more police officers to handle the rioting, out of control
masses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPePMEQ-3Kc
Granted, Eugene is the perfect storm for all the issues we are struggling with: I5
corridor, temperate climate, legalization of marijuana, extremely liberal state and more
homeless amenities provided then most cities. But being a Sanctuary City is
definitely adding to the mayhem and lawlessness.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not let his happen to our wonderful Bozeman. Be
assured, if this gets voted in, Bozeman will no longer be at the top of the polls as "Best
Ski Town" and "Top 10 Best Places to Live."
I do care about refugees and those fleeing war torn countries. I regularly send funds to
organizations working on the ground to provide for these folks. I don't think Bozeman
becoming a Sanctuary City is the answer.
I am extending an invitation to you and all the commissioners to visit Eugene and see
firsthand what a Sanctuary City looks like. I'd be happy to give you a tour. But
remember, don't leave anything in your car while here!
Thanks for listening.
Warmly,
Tracie Jenkins
PO Box 10354
Eugene, OR 97440
406.670.5444