HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-23 Public Comment - B. Polasik - The Issue of Urban Camping in BozemanFrom:Berit Polasik
To:Agenda
Cc:Joe Polasik
Subject:The Issue of Urban Camping in Bozeman
Date:Thursday, May 11, 2023 11:24:50 AM
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We need you as the elected city commission to address the ongoing urban camping situation inBozeman. The situation as it stands today is untenable. My workplace is West Hemlock Street
where there have been several instances of illegal and dangerous behavior including assault,drug dealing, theft and vandalism. The police has been called to the street on several occasions
and there have been multiple incidents of theft of services from our property as well asvandalism on our property.
Yesterday, one of the residents harassed one of my coworkers as he was arriving at work and
another when he was walking on the sidewalk outside. My biggest concern is that theharassment and threats will escalate and result in violence toward any one of us working on W
Hemlock. I really hope it doesn't have to come to that before the city commission takes any action.
There is also the matter of the mounds of trash that is accumulating around the campers and on
the street and sidewalks, as you can see in the below picture.
The Bozeman municipal code chapter 16 clearly defines what constitutes a public nuisance,including:
Any building or place which has been operated or maintained in a manner that has resulted inrepeated disruptive activities including, but not limited to, disturbances of the peace, public
drunkenness, drinking in public, harassment of passersby, sale of stolen goods, publicurination, theft, assaults, batteries, acts of vandalism, excessive littering, illegal parking, loud
noises (particularly in late night or early morning hours), traffic violations, or policedetentions and arrests.
And:The keeping, storage, depositing or accumulation on the premises for an unreasonable period
of time of any personal property or wastes, including, but not limited to, abandoned, wrecked,dismantled or inoperative vehicles, abandoned, wrecked, or dismantled boats or vessels,
automotive parts and equipment, appliances, furniture, containers, packing materials, scrapmetal, wood, building materials, junk, rubbish, debris, dirt, sand, gravel, concrete or other
similar materials which is within the view of persons on adjacent or nearby real property orthe public right-of-way and which is detrimental to the public health, safety and general
welfare.
I know this is a complicated situation with a lot of factors to consider but I am asking thecommission do their job and find the solutions required. Please enact these laws and provide
the city and the Bozeman PD with the tools and resources they need to address this.
Sincerely,
Berit Polasik
Admin Support Manager
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