Thoughtful Solutions that Help Homeless People and Keep Our Community Safe and Clean

It use to be I could go anywhere in Bellingham and feel safe. Now there are places where I perceive a lesser degree of safety. The recent article in the Bham Herald reveals some of the safety issues of concern as they relate to the Homeless Camp by Walmart. Certainly this is on private property and the city is trying to do something about it, as it appears. However, I don't understand why we as a city don't immediately respond to illegal encampments. It seems we allow people to set up a tent here or there and we don't respond right away with removing them. For example, the other day a person set up next COA on Sunset. He has been there at least a week and the garbage is growing. Additionally, going downtown, particularly in the evening is rather frightening, especially on Holly Street.

When we give the message it's okay to set up camp, leave garbage all around, etc., it invites this type of behavior. We DO have options in Bellingham for people who want to be housed. I'd love to see our city officials make this a priority and create policies that immediately remove people from the streets who are setting up camp and at the SAME time provide a menu of services they could access. These services need to have accountability structured into them. We could give people options for care. It's interesting talking to people who have been on the streets. Accountability for making changes in their lives, sometimes made the difference.

I believe we are moving in the wrong direction to just allow people to camp all over the city. Certainly these people are hurting, and I think our enabling of the behavior in Bellingham ultimately does not help them and it leaves our city less safe as so many of those on the streets, not all, have drug and alcohol issues.

Lastly, we need something beyond an accountability program for those who are suffering mental illness. We need a caring program for these people, and we need to invite their families into the process, equipping them and providing services that are effective. This, obviously, is a big issue that will involve lots of work.

People, including myself, don't feel safe around some of the homeless encampments or those some of those sleeping, drinking and doing drugs on the sidewalks downtown. I don't know the reality of how safe it is or isn't, but one thing is for sure, people don't feel safe which makes Bellingham less of a desirable place to be. I'd love to see a change and develop solutions that will help as many people as possible.