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Residents press city on encampment and safety responses; local pastor proposes hotel‑shelter pilot and real‑time routing system
Summary
Residents reported an encampment on the Little Dry Creek/Winona Ditch trail that posed open‑fire and public‑safety risks; a resident and an unhoused pastor presented detailed proposals and urged city action at the Aug. 11 council meeting.
During public comment at the Aug. 11 Westminster City Council meeting, several residents described safety problems and fire risks from an encampment on the Little Dry Creek/Winona Ditch trail adjacent to Kennedy Park ballfields. Jessica Johnson described an encampment that arrived Aug. 1 and persisted nearly a week, involving open fires, bathing in the ditch, loud disturbances, blocking the path and safety concerns for seniors; she said multiple non‑emergency reports to police and rangers did not result in relocation and that the city’s portal replies suggested the encamped person claimed they were securing housing.
Other speakers urged more proactive enforcement and support. Jerry Mayabov, a pastor who also identified as an advocate for people experiencing homelessness and as a person who is unsheltered, presented a multi‑section reform proposal the city received by email earlier the same day. Mayabov’s packet (section references provided in his remarks) proposed a weekly hotel‑shelter pilot to address hygiene deprivation, a “real‑time infrastructure” (RTIRS) to route people to services based on need, legal and funding mechanisms to activate emergency and strategic funds, and a plan for stabilization villages with MOUs and oversight. He urged immediate action to move beyond what he called ineffective existing systems.
Other speakers described neighborhood and public‑safety issues tied to homelessness and drug activity at specific locations, and asked council to increase police presence, conduct targeted enforcement, consider a noise study and engage the community in a public forum. The city manager said staff heard the comments and would follow up with individuals who asked for follow‑up. Staff committed to follow up with the speaker who raised the Rafael (Winona Ditch) encampment and said the city listens and will respond.
Ending: Council did not take immediate policy action at the Aug. 11 meeting. Several speakers asked for quicker relocation or increased outreach; staff said they will follow up and the city manager reiterated staff will respond to requests submitted through the city portal and follow up directly on tonight’s comments.
