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Public commenters urge compassion, warn enforcement could harm people as council weighs shelter and services
Summary
Public commenters at the March 19 Bremerton City Council meeting urged the city to prioritize life-saving support for people living outdoors and cautioned that stepped-up enforcement could push people away from services.
Speakers during the public comment period urged the council to prioritize life-saving support for people living outside and cautioned that stepped-up enforcement of anti-camping rules could make outreach and care more difficult.
"We really need to on the side of human compassion. We need to on the side of human life," said Jocelyn of Bremerton Prayer Walk and Rock the Block, who described people on the street losing limbs and one recent death she said might have been preventable without stronger outreach and resources.
Travis (speaking as a Bremerton resident) and other members of the public noted gaps in available resources and urged the council to seek intermediate options while longer-term shelter plans are finalized. Jose Camacho of Friends of Smith Cove also criticized portions of city policy enforcement and raised records concerns during public comment.
In response to questions and public concerns, the mayor said the city had seen shelter occupancy rise into the upper 70s before recent partnerships and case management reduced numbers. "So we're down in the fifties now," the mayor said, describing transitions of some shelter residents into more controlled placements including a Mile Hill location and noting that funding remains a challenge.
Council members said they continue to press for county support and additional funding for shelter operations. Council Member Jennifer Chamberlain highlighted an increase in encampments at the city limits and said a new shelter project remains a priority; the mayor and staff said the city is coordinating with Kitsap County on funding and operations but that budgets are constrained.
Public commenters asked the council not to escalate enforcement until shelter capacity and outreach resources are expanded. The council did not take immediate action on enforcement changes at the March 19 meeting; comments were received during the public recognition segment of the agenda.
