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Residents press Astoria council on homelessness and downtown enforcement
Summary
Multiple residents urged the council to strengthen downtown enforcement and services; business owner Steve Fick described safety and sanitation problems near his property, and councilors discussed coordinating with service providers and scheduling a follow‑up work session to consider options.
Business owner Steve Fick told the council at the Nov. 3 meeting that ongoing homelessness‑related behavior near his property has created safety and sanitation problems that current enforcement tools are not addressing.
"This is not acceptable," Fick said. "This is the lack of dignity for these people even." He recounted being threatened, described a recent incident in which he said he found meth in a trick‑or‑treat bag he turned over to police, and urged the council to try different programs and enforcement approaches so residents, businesses and staff are better supported.
Councilors discussed continuing the "limited access" exclusion‑zone conversation and broader downtown camping and behavior enforcement. Mayor Fitzpatrick and Councilor Mozzarella said they want to work with community service providers and police to understand constraints and options before directing new enforcement policies. Mayor Fitzpatrick said it would be useful to bring the community providers back to present their perspectives so council could consider what tools staff and police need.
Councilor Mozzarella asked when a substantive discussion could happen; staff proposed using an upcoming work session or scheduling another meeting in December to assemble providers and discuss implementation options. Councilors expressed concern that a newly appointed Ward 4 member may affect policy direction and therefore recommended gathering information first so the incoming member can participate.
Several public commenters reinforced the theme that limited shelter capacity, library policy and service‑system gaps contribute to visible downtown problems. Carissa asked whether an emergency warming shelter will be available this winter; Mary Anne urged more mental‑health diversion and housing investments to reduce criminalization and court overload.
The council did not take formal action on enforcement at the Nov. 3 meeting; members directed staff to continue planning and to invite service providers to a future work session for more detailed discussion.
