HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-23 Public Comment - T. Werner - Tonight's commission meetingFrom:Ben Werner
To:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Tonight"s commission meeting
Date:Tuesday, September 19, 2023 1:49:58 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commission,
I'm writing to you to support taking action to mitigate the urban camping in the city.
My wife and I have been residents of town for 15 years, and own a single small commercial lot in
town that we have worked hard to save up to purchase in hopes of creating a permanent home for a
non-profit.
In the last two years, we have unfortunately seen firsthand the following issues occur on our
property:
1. Urban campers leaving behind broken glass, human excrement, and large amounts of trash.
2. I installed “no trespassing” signs on the private property, and campers came out of their RVs
to yell profanities at me and I felt threatened.
3. After the welcome street cleaning that took place, I installed a visibility fence around the
property and replaced the private property signs. The fence was torn down and used to
create what could only be described as a sizable shrine on the property, complete with piles
of rocks and trash.
4. The campers used shovels to dig a hole on my property and dragged in pallets in to create a
more permanent structure.
We are unable to enjoy our property and now no longer feel safe visiting it. I believe the community
needs to understand that there is a difference between legitimate situations where good people
experience homelessness, and what is unfortunately taking place in our city – which are effectively
bands of street pirates that are intentionally being disruptive.
I hope to one day retire in an RV and drive around the country. I have no issue with someone making
the choice to live in an RV. This is by definition a choice, and the city should certainly enforce its
current laws that limit long term parking and hold people accountable to prevent littering and
property destruction.
Please give the police the tools they need to do their job and create a better environment for all
Bozeman locals – no matter their choice of living situation.
Ben Werner
4230 E Graf
Bozeman, MT, 59715