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Residents urge Shelton council to act on homelessness, illegal camps and public-safety concerns
Summary
Multiple residents told the council about growing homelessness, theft and open drug use in Shelton, urged enforcement of conditional-use permits and asked to present volunteer research documenting illegal camps; speakers said the city’s current responses feel insufficient.
Several residents used the council’s public-comment period on Dec. 16 to press Shelton leaders for stronger responses to visible homelessness, open drug use, and illegal camping.
Dave Mortensen, who identified himself as a local business owner, said theft and vandalism have cost his family’s downtown enterprises “over a $100,000” in recent years and described seeing a cargo trailer taken and later recovered damaged. “The homelessness, the drug addiction, the way they’re treating the town, it just breaks my heart,” he said. Another speaker representing a volunteer group called “No More” said the group has spent hundreds of dollars and many hours documenting camps at ETS RV, Brewer Park and sites on Highway 3 and Newtown and requested time to present photos and findings; the speaker said the group was told the council would not allow a longer presentation because the study had not been commission by the city.
Bill Hyatt described repeated trash and open drug use by the Safeway entrance and along Highway 3, saying he photographed drug exchanges and that his wife now avoids shopping there alone. He criticized a recent $120,000 homelessness study, saying it relied mainly on providers and outside consultants and did not meaningfully consult business owners or other local stakeholders.
Dean Jewett pressed the council on enforcement of conditional-use permits, asking whether permit obligations “follow a building” or “follow an entity” and reporting a pending public-records request about permit violations. Jewett said permit conditions should require owners and service providers to police their sites and clean up surrounding areas.
Other speakers included Monte Ritter, who thanked officials for flood mitigation work that prevented recent damage, and Jeffrey Denson, who urged council members and commentators to avoid dehumanizing language when discussing unhoused people.
The public-comment speakers collectively asked for clearer enforcement of existing ordinances and state law, written responses to requests for presentations, and more outreach to businesses and residents affected by illegal camps and public-safety incidents. Council members acknowledged the concerns and asked the volunteer group to submit materials by email and indicated staff could arrange a presentation in a public forum.
