HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-23 Public Comment - J. Wills-King - Urban CampersFrom:Joshua Wills-King
To:Agenda
Cc:Sundance; Takami Clark
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Re: Urban Campers
Date:Sunday, August 6, 2023 7:41:03 PM
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To the City Commissioners,
My name is Joshua Wills-King and I currently live at the Baxter Meadows Apartment Complex. I have lived here for almost four years.
During the four years I have lived here, our city has enjoyed a significant period of growth. With this growth, expected challenges such as
homelessness, crime and public littering have arisen in and around Bozeman. Unfortunately the growth of these problems has not been
met with the commensurate level of seriousness expected from this local government. Bozeman is a fantastic place to live. I want it to
stay that way. It is precisely how this city chooses to deal with exogenous challenges which will decide our future. This is why I am
writing to you today. Please vote in favor of removing the homeless encampments at the Kimberwicke, Galloway and Vaquero locations.
During the last 2 years I have noticed an increase in the amount of individuals choosing to live on the street. While housing in Bozeman
is subject to shortages, there is not a serious enough shortage to warrant the amount of people I see on the street. Areas on the side streets
of N. 11th Ave, Max Ave, Cattail St, and in my neighborhood on Kimberwicke, Galloway, Vaquero, Blondie St, and Veronica Way.
There is no problem with people choosing to live on the street. I can fully understand their individuals wants, needs and personal
situations. However, there is a problem when residents feel unsafe in their neighborhoods. Also, there are other options than living on
residential streets. My Wife and I have felt unsafe during the last year due to the nature of the street people on the roads aforementioned.
Often these individuals will have arguments and fights which disturb the peace and bring a level of uneasiness which was previously
unknown in this area. Last week, I called the police to record a disturbance when two individuals were having an altercation in the middle
of the road. This was about 50 yards from our housing complex, where at the time, several families with women, children and elderly
were trying to enjoy their day. These problems have persisted over the last year, and have gotten worse.
The transient population currently residing in my area of Bozeman has not only been a problem during the day. Nightly activity persists
in these areas. This activity suggests more than common, domestic camping living. I often notice suspicious vehicles, which I do not see
in the day time. These vehicles make circles in the area, sometimes stopping. I believe there is a high likelihood that prostitution and drug
dealing are common among the transient population here. For a period of two weeks a Uhaul would make circles around the
Kimberwicke, Galloway and Equestrian streets that would stop at every other camper. I could not tell exactly what these individuals were
doing, but this was unsettling. The Uhaul has never made an appearance during the day, and I suspect this is probably a common drug
dealing route. These individuals sometimes drop off trash, or packages on the sides of the street which are left in the fields around us.
Overall, the city must take swift action to disperse the homeless population from residing on residential streets. Further, you must take
action which properly addresses the homeless problem here in Bozeman. This city will continue to grow, and must adapt to the new
changes enjoyed by our economic and social development. Adaptability to change is what will keep Bozeman a safe and pleasant place to
live. I am happy to discuss this issue further and will gladly take any calls or meetings with the city commissioners to ensure this problem
is being addressed.
Your Neighbor,
Joshua Wills-King
(435)-817-2329