HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-24 Public Comment - J. Pettyjohn - Urban CampingFrom:Jared Pettyjohn
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Urban Camping
Date:Tuesday, July 23, 2024 4:42:13 PM
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Dear Bozeman Commission,
You have to do something about the Urban Camping situation you have created. It is getting
out of control and the ordinance you have passed is not being enforced. I live across from theencampment that is located at Baxter and Davis and I watch someone get arrested every single
week. The disregard you have for me and my family is getting frustrating. I did havesympathy for the individuals who had nowhere to turn but to live in a camper but after 4 years
of seeing the same stuff over and over again without anything getting better that compassion islong gone.
The citizens of Bozeman have been force fed that all these people are upstanding citizens who
are working (sometimes 2 jobs). I would argue if that was the case and they were working 40hours a week at Taco Bell (who is hiring at $20/hr) the take home pay should be $33,280
assuming a 20% tax. The "rule of thumb" is that 30% of income should be for housing, thatleaves them $800 per month to spend on housing. We have seen the same camper for 4 years
now, if they were saving $800 per month for 4 years they should easily have enough to affordan apartment plus several months of safety net. Yes, I have looked and there are lots of 2
bedroom units for $1,600 to $1,800 a month. With a roommate, this is very attainable. If theissue is that they cannot pass a background check, that is not a reason for them to be able to
live on the streets for free.
The other issue I have is that you are putting Bozeman Police and Gallatin County Sheriffs atunnecessary risk. In this article posted July 16, 2024 (https://www.justice.gov/usao-
mt/pr/federal-jury-convicts-bozeman-felon-illegal-possession-firearm-ammunition) we had aconvicted felon living on one of the campers with a loaded handgun. I would hate for one of
these situations to escalate to shots fired... heaven forbid an innocent bystander is shot andkilled with them living 20 yards from a major apartment building. There is no way for us to
look up if our "neighbors" living in the encampment are violent or sex offenders, that issomething that needs to be enacted.
IT IS TIME THAT YOU STAND UP FOR THE REST OF BOZEMAN!
Jared Pettyjohn