HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-15-24 Public Comment - J. Pettyjohn - Urban Camping SafetyFrom:Jared Pettyjohn
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Urban Camping Safety
Date:Wednesday, August 14, 2024 6:48:13 AM
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Good morning - I am writing this email in response to what Joey mentioned as the residents
gripe with the urban campers vs what really is our concern. In the meeting on August 6th ourDeputy Mayor Joey Morrison stated our problem is "it's an eyesore". Joey also said that "the
people who concern me most are the people who are on the street, and they are absolutely lesssafe living on the street" when discussing issues with the urban campers. Well the truth of it is
that it is not an issue of how things look but rather an issue of safety. In the past week therehave been two articles (linked below) related to violent crime and drug dealing/overdosing
that are the exact reason we have problems with the current urban camping situation. If youdo nothing regarding the current state of urban camping you, Joey, are turning your back
against the people who concern you most by subjecting them to violence and drugs as evidentin the past week. If you provide city staff with the tools to eliminate those abusing the
ordinance we can create a safer place for everyone to live.
Article 1 (https://www.kbzk.com/news/crime-courts/bozeman-urban-camper-assault-sends-pair-to-jail). Is it okay that we allow people to live on the street and ignore the ordinance
while beating someone with a baseball bat?
Article 2 (https://www.kbzk.com/news/crime-courts/urban-camping-crime-saturday-drug-bust-in-bozeman-sends-three-to-jail). Is it okay that we allow drug dealers to live in a camper
and deal drugs to other urban campers who may be trying to get sober. Let alone the state ofthe camper these individuals were in was a "near biohazard" as stated by the police due to the
amount of drug paraphernalia and fentanyl pill inside.
HOW MANY ARTICLES LIKE THESE NEED TO HAPPEN IN ORDER FOR YOU TOPUT THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY FIRST???
Jared Pettyjohn