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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-21 Public Comment - C. Rader - Max Ave & Tents in City ParksFrom:connie rader To:Agenda Subject:Public comment for today"s meeting Date:Tuesday, October 5, 2021 11:08:33 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. City Commissioners - I want to talk about 2 situations in Bozeman - 1. campers, trailers, and vehicles that have remained parked on Max Ave, and other streets, and 2. The tents going up, around the city - specifically those in public parks, and the homeless that live in them. While I understand the situation around both is complex, and that many agencies need to be involved, I believe that it is the city’s responsibility to uphold our laws and codes. If you do not uphold our laws, then you open up the potential for complete anarchy. Discrimination is something that can be done to any population. Therefore, if you are going to allow a subset of people (in this case “homeless”) not have to abide by the law, then you have to let all of us not abide by the law (which of course is not a direction to go). I have spoken with a few different people and offices concerning this, and was informed that the city’s hands are somewhat tied due to a decision that was handed down by the 9th Circuit Court. Based on that information, if an alternate location is what is needed for these people to sleep, then I suggest that the city utilize its land in a more appropriate place for these people to set up their tents. For example, the city owns the land around the current Law and Justice Center. Marking off an ample piece of that land for them to move to achieves several things that are positive: *By having them live all in one place, it allows first responders, as well as charitable organizations, and social workers, etc., much easier access to do their work. *Being in front of the Law and Justice Center will create a deterrent for illegal drug trafficking, use, and other illegal activities. *Allows for potential faster response times by first responders. *Having them in one place provides a safer environment for all involved. *This will make our public parks safe, clean, and attractive for the tax paying citizens of this city and county to use again. *You are not charging them with a crime, you are moving them to a designated spot. An example to follow is the city of Modesto, CA. After the Martin v City of Boise decision, Modesto established a city-sanctioned encampment with disaster relief-style tents - a stop-gap way of handling the issue, while the city worked with organizations to develop more shelter-type beds. It put them all in one place. With regards to the vehicles being parked for extended periods of time, breaking our city’s parking codes, are they considered “homeless”? What is the legal definition? My research suggests that they are not homeless because they have a “fixed”, “regular”, and “adequate” roof over their heads. It’s just that their particular “roof” is also on wheels - which means it can be moved. I have driven by this location (Max Ave) many times over the summer and have seen the number of vehicles growing exponentially. I have seen garbage all around, BBQ’s right next to the field, etc. I haven’t felt comfortable as far as getting out of my car and knocking on doors to find out who these people are and where they come from. Why have you not enforced our parking laws? If I park my trailer downtown on Main St for a relative to live in, are you going to enforce the law there? Again, I understand these issues are complex. We all have compassion for those that truly want to get themselves out of their homeless situation, and I want to be part of the solution. I have personally gone to the encampment at the park near the mall and spoken with two of people there. However, allowing tents to continue to go up without parameters will cause this problem to grow and become worse. There are obviously multiples of cities across the US (including Missoula) that demonstrate that fact. The truth is that what you allow (tolerate) will continue and most likely grow worse (just like when raising a child). Correction needs to be implemented, and it’s the city’s job to enforce our laws. I respectfully ask that you do just that. Sincerely, Connie Rader Bozeman resident PS - I strongly suggest that you remove the requirement to state one’s address. In today’s climate, I believe that opens up potential harm to a person and their family.