HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-05-19 Public Comment - D. Strigenz - HRDC Warming Center Site
October 28, 2019.
I am writing to voice my opposition to the proposed special permit for a warming shelter at the corner
of Graf and West Ridge.
First, I would like to provide context for my oppositional remarks below. I understand there is a need for
warming shelters in Bozeman. I appreciate the role that HRDC takes on in generously serving a
community that is often neglected or overlooked. I have always had a great deal of respect for this
organization, and even have friends and acquaintances that have benefited tremendously from their
services. That said, I believe the permit request for this location is severely misguided.
The proposed location is in the heart of one of the densest, most family-filled neighborhoods in all of
Bozeman. It is an area known and loved for the fact that hundreds of children bike to and from school
and friends’ homes unsupervised on a daily basis. Specifically, this site virtually shares a backyard with
Morning Star Elementary School’s playground and is a stone’s throw from of one of the most trafficked
crosswalks to the school each day. Please see diagram below.
I understand that that the hours of residency for the visitors have been planned outside of the primary
school hours. However, this is irrelevant when there is no control over the visitors (who will not have
background checks) leaving in the night or lingering in the morning instead of taking transport. This is
not an issue for what I imagine is a large part of the homeless population that are good people with
awful luck just trying to stay warm. But we cannot deny that the rate of crime, drugs, smoking and
mental health issues is higher in this population. It is by no means everyone, but it is higher. This is
evidenced by the long list of police reports from the prior shelter location. I find it unfair to introduce
this potential threat one block away from a large elementary school and not far from a neighboring
middle school. This seems especially imprudent in today’s climate of heightened school safety.
We need warming houses. However, they should be in smart places near resources and public
transportation and away from such a vulnerable young population. Springing them on an unknowing
neighborhood is not a thoughtful solution. And most importantly, by approving this permit, you would
be deliberately and knowingly putting our children at elevated risk.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope you take these letters from your concerned
community members to heart. And as importantly, I am hopeful the HRDC can find a more fruitful and
fitting location for this very worthy and important initiative.
Dr. Dierdre Strigenz
dierdre33@hotmail.com