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Newport residents urge action as new homeless services shift neighborhood dynamics
Summary
Residents told the City Council they have seen a rise in cars parked in traffic lanes, trash, fights and loose dogs since the recent opening of a facility described as 'Agape,' and asked who monitors operations and whether longer-term supervised options might reduce neighborhood impacts.
Newport — Two residents told the City Council on Aug. 4 that neighborhood quality of life has declined since the opening of a services facility they referred to as Agape, pressing city leaders to clarify oversight and enforcement options.
An unidentified resident who lives on Southwest 10th Street described cars parked in traffic lanes, people living in vehicles near the lot, trash and people congregating behind nearby apartments. He asked whether the council could have cars parked in traffic lanes towed and said the situation has grown worse since the facility opened.
Julie Kelly, who identified herself as a homeowner who purchased and renovated a property nearby, said she was unaware the facility had received grant funding to provide showers, laundry and camping equipment. She told councilors she has observed fights, dogs running loose and a van that has been parked in the facility lot for more than a week. "It's not safe," she said, and asked who monitors compliance with any time-limits or rules for people staying there.
Mayor Kaplan acknowledged the comments and said multiple agencies are meeting to address the issue, adding that there is no immediate single solution. "We're hearing you," the mayor told the commenters, and staff said they would continue interagency coordination.
Kelly urged the city to consider supervised, longer-term options used in other places to reduce repeated short stays and the constant circulation she described. "They need to move every 16 hours. I don't know who monitors that," she said, suggesting the city explore alternatives that provide more stability for residents while protecting neighborhood safety and tourism-related parking.
Why it matters Residents framed the problem as both a public-safety and neighborhood-quality issue, asking the council to clarify monitoring and enforcement authority. City staff and the mayor said interagency efforts are underway but did not announce immediate enforcement measures or operational oversight changes during the meeting.
What’s next The council heard the public comments during the meeting’s public-comment period; no formal council action addressing the facility was taken that night. Staff and agencies coordinating on the matter would be the logical next points of contact for residents seeking updates or to report incidents.
