Culpeper merchant urges council to address downtown loitering, sanitation and safety

Sherry Toomey, who identified herself as an employee of Culpeper Machine and Supply, told the Town of Culpeper council the area between her building and the train tracks has become “atrocious,” with people sleeping on gravel, public drinking and drug use, trespassing and instances of human waste and trash that she said threaten health, safety and tourism.

"I'm not going to be cleaning up somebody else's urine, defecated, drug-filled stuff," Toomey said, describing photographs and videos she said show people falling on the tracks and sleeping next to the rails. She said the activity has intensified recently and interferes with customers and business operations.

Mayor (unnamed) acknowledged the complaint and said staff would check into the issue and follow up. The record shows the mayor did not commit to a specific enforcement action during the public comment period.

Why it matters: Toomey framed the problem as both a public-safety and economic concern for downtown businesses—citing the town’s efforts to increase tourism and the visibility of the downtown corridor near the train depot. Her account raises questions about jurisdiction, patrol frequency and responsibility for cleanup on land adjacent to private property and the railroad.

What was asked and what followed: Toomey asked who is responsible for cleaning the area and for increased patrols. The mayor said he would check with staff. The transcript includes no detailed staff report, enforcement plan, or timetable recorded during this meeting.

Next step: The mayor said staff would review the complaint; council did not vote or direct a specific staff assignment on the record during this session.