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Residents urge stronger enforcement, services and answers on homelessness and public safety
Summary
Two public commenters raised concerns at the July 15 council meeting about domestic‑violence response, law‑enforcement accountability, street vending and homeless encampments, and asked about tiny‑home legalization and transitional villages.
Two members of the public used the council’s July 15 comment period to press Shelton officials on public safety, law‑enforcement accountability, homeless encampments and vendor licensing.
Amanda Cashner, who identified herself as founder of the CPAW and a local property owner, told the council she has witnessed “serious gaps in public safety, justice, and accountability” and asked a series of questions for council response, including: “How is justice being upheld for survivors of domestic violence in our county?”; “Who ensures accountability when law enforcement errors occur?”; and “Why do noncitizen sometimes get prioritized over the rights and safety of our local residents?” She also asked, “Who oversees the GCR process?” and asked about a downtown smoke shop she said is selling psychedelics, noting community concern amid homelessness and mental‑health challenges. Cashner concluded by asking for written responses to her questions.
Later in public comment, Dean Jewett raised enforcement and public‑safety issues including the city’s authority over an ETS truck parked in town. “The city has the sole power to move that truck. It is not under contract for the county. It is solely resting on the city's hands,” Jewett said. He also alleged a food truck operated by Justimonies Ministries lacked permits and sanitary practices and asked where the city’s liability lies if staff do not act. Jewett described recurring encampment activity at Rude Park, an RV parked on Fourth Street occupied long‑term and chained to a sign, and a person sleeping on a bank bench; he urged consistent enforcement of ordinances rather than sporadic action.
Both speakers asked the council to clarify enforcement responsibility and to respond in writing or by follow‑up. No council response with specific remedies or timelines was recorded in the transcript for either commenter.
The council took no formal action during the public‑comment period. The questions raised touch on law‑enforcement procedures, permitting and public‑works enforcement, and housing‑related responses; staff or council follow‑up was requested by the speakers but not recorded as directed during the meeting.
