Local outreach group urges softer enforcement, more services for people living on Bremerton streets

Jocelyn, a volunteer with Bremerton Prayer Walk and Rock the Block, told the City Council the downtown street environment has become chaotic and said enforcement of the city's anti-camping ordinance is being used to move people in ways that make outreach and basic care more difficult. She urged the council to use a more compassionate approach while the city works to expand services.

Jocelyn said outreach volunteers are now "caravanning" to find people who need food and basic necessities because relocations scatter encampments: "it's so chaotic down there...it makes it really difficult. We've now had to do, like, a caravanning type thing where we're going around and looking for people." She said volunteers are seeing people who need detox and medical care but cannot enter treatment because of medical issues and lack of a safe place to detox.

She asked the council to consider sanitary facilities downtown, saying porta-potties and similar measures have been used elsewhere and would address dignity and public-safety concerns: "We really need to get a bathroom down there...it's a matter of not only human dignity, but it's also a matter of public safety." Jocelyn also warned that the anti-camping ordinance is being enforced "above and beyond what it was written for to move these people about." She closed by urging continued compassion while additional resources are developed.