Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Encampments Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge city action on encampments, graffiti and ADA obstructions in downtown Shelton
Summary
Public speakers pressed the council for more proactive responses to tents, sidewalk obstructions and graffiti, and questioned coordination among agencies on encampments near businesses.
Multiple public commenters at the April 1 Shelton City Council meeting urged the city to take a more proactive approach to encampments, graffiti and American Disabilities Act obstructions that they said affect downtown businesses.
Dean Jewett, a downtown business owner, criticized what he described as delayed enforcement and cleanup responses and questioned the cost and choice of funding for homelessness services. “It's not your money. It's our money,” Jewett said while urging the council to act earlier when problems are reported. He named repeated sidewalk obstructions near Recovery Cafe and said ADA-blocking conditions and graffiti have returned weeks after prior cleanup efforts.
An additional resident who identified themselves during public comment said they had seen mobile outreach and law enforcement activity at a known camping site, and described seeing young people and adults who appeared to be experiencing mental-health crises. That speaker said police escorted some campers away on one occasion but reported the encampment returned within days.
Commenters asked the city to improve interjurisdictional coordination; Jewett said he had received inconsistent responses about whether camps were on city property, county property or Department of Defense property. Council members and staff did not commit to a specific new enforcement action during public comment but acknowledged ongoing cleanup and outreach efforts.
