I, and many of my neighbors in the Hough neighborhood, have backyards that are within one foot of homeless encampments. There is a sound wall but that does not buffer the health hazards of solid waste and trash that accumulates. In the last year, I only remember two efforts to sanitize these sites, yet there has been continuous camping and exposure to hazardous waste.
I recently attended a community forum where citizens can address city council members. The mayor, Anne McEnerny-Ogle, and Councilor Bart Hansen moderated my group. I pointed out the health dangers of this camping situation and while the mayor acknowledged the health hazards, she offered no solutions. I referred to the city’s written policy that camping by the Burnt Bridge Creek was banned because of the dangers of solid waste and trash to the watershed. I suggested that there also be some safety radius for those of us next to the encampments. Surely one foot offers no protection.
Neither council member engaged. Perhaps they have further reflected on the situation. My optimistic question for all council members is: “What are your planned solutions for eliminating our exposure to this hazardous waste?”
