Public commenters urge action on Bethel safety and restoration of CAHOOTS amid budget debate

Seventeen people spoke during the public comment period at the April 28 Eugene City Council meeting, urging the council to address sanitation and safety near the Lindholm Service Center in the Bethel area, to restore alternative‑response services known as CAHOOTS, and to preserve community services as the council works through budget choices.

Lynn Woodrich, co‑chair of the Active Bethel Community, told councilors that overcrowding at the Lindholm Center is producing “severe sanitation hazards and escalating dangers,” and urged immediate actions including a police substation in Bethel, dedicated cleanup crews, 24/7 enforcement and trauma‑informed outreach teams. “Our community deserves solutions that uphold both the dignity of those experiencing homelessness and the rights of residents and businesses bearing the brunt of this crisis,” Woodrich said.

Several speakers urged restoring CAHOOTS (an alternative emergency response program operated by White Bird Clinic) or ensuring alternative‑response funding in the city budget. Alex Chamberlain and Jacob True urged the council to allocate payroll‑tax revenues to bring CAHOOTS back; Chamberlain said the city’s community safety payroll tax was expected to raise “$5,067,000,000” and asked that “maybe 8,000,000” be allocated to…