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Downtown sanitation, encampments draw sharp public concern at Shelton council meeting
Summary
A resident told the council that downtown sidewalks and Brewer Park have long-term encampments, human or animal feces on sidewalks, and slow police response times; she urged consistent enforcement of the city's no-camping ordinance and better sanitation for tourism and public safety.
During general public comment at the Jan. 6 Shelton City Council meeting, a resident identified as Angie described multiple downtown problems that she said affect accessibility and safety. She recounted taking family downtown with a relative in a wheelchair, encountering poor sidewalks and a reportedly long-term van at Brewer Park, and finding two piles described as "human and or dog feces" near the Clock Tower.
Angie questioned enforcement of the city's no-camping ordinance: "If we're not gonna enforce an ordinance, then why do we even have it?" She also said private businesses have experienced trespassing and property damage, and said a realty office had to wait 22 minutes for police to remove an individual.
Council members and city staff noted enforcement efforts elsewhere on public property and said the city would coordinate with the U.S. Navy and private landowners in areas along Highway 3 to pursue a more holistic approach to encampment cleanup. No immediate enforcement motion was taken during public comment; the council moved on to scheduled agenda items.
