HomeMy WebLinkAboutNews Release - Mail Packet - 8/12/2014 - Press Release Dated August 6, 2014, City Continues To Grapple With Homelessness, Illegal Camping After Problem Grows1
Sarah Kane
From: Amanda Crane
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 5:06 PM
To: Bob Overbeck; Gerry Horak; Gino Campana; Karen Weitkunat; Lisa Poppaw; Ross
Cunniff; Wade Troxell
Cc: Sarah Kane
Subject: FW: City grappling with homelessness, illegal camping
Categories: Timely or Council Packet Item
Hello Council!
Darin asked that you receive a copy of this press release. I believe Sarah will include it in tomorrow’s packet, thank you!
Amanda J. Crane
Executive Administrative Assistant
City Manager’s Office
970-221-6763
Tell me about my service…I want to know!
From: Emily Wilmsen
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 4:49 PM
To: Emily Wilmsen
Subject: City grappling with homelessness, illegal camping
Contact: Mary Atchison, Social Sustainability Director, matchison@fcgov.com, 970.221.6752
Date: August 6, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Continues to Grapple with Homelessness, Illegal Camping After Problem Grows
The City of Fort Collins on Wednesday conducted an enforcement action to address illegal camping in public
areas after watching the problem grow - and complaints increase - over the summer months.
Police officers, Natural Area Rangers and Park Rangers were joined by City Manager Darin Atteberry and
several Councilmembers early Wednesday to patrol areas along the Poudre River, Old Town and along the
MAX transit corridor. As part of the enforcement action, officials located campsites, addressed municipal and
criminal violations, conducted trash cleanup and educated illegal campers about laws and available resources.
On Wednesday, officials located 54 illegal campsites, issued 32 summonses for municipal or criminal violations
and arrested one person on an outstanding warrant. There were 26 active but unattended campsites that were
tagged with warnings, and four truckloads of garbage collected. Officials will return to the campsites that were
tagged with warnings in the coming days to make sure the property has been removed.
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The City’s Social Sustainability Department and Police Services continue to work with homeless providers and
the faith community to address illegal camping and find compassionate solutions that may include expanding
shelter capacity.
“This is a very complex issue that affects our entire community,” said Mary Atchison, director of Social
Sustainability. “We want to help those homeless individuals who do not want to be camping get back on their
feet and find the resources they need. We are also collaborating with homeless service providers and faith
communities about how we can help people in a humane way while also enforcing our laws for the benefit of
all.”
A similar effort was conducted on May 7: Officers found 31 illegal campsites and issued 32 summonses largely
related to public camping.
Since May 14, police calls for service regarding the behavior of homeless and transient people have quadrupled.
In general, over the past two or three years, the City has experienced a dramatic increase in homeless camping
within the city limits. Said Deputy Chief Jerry Schiager, “The focus of these enforcement actions is on
addressing illegal behavior, not on the status of the offenders. People may be camping in the city limits for a
variety of reasons, and this behavior is against local ordinance.”
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Emily Wilmsen | Public Relations Coordinator
City of Fort Collins | Sustainability Services Area
PO Box 580 | Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
970-221-6870| 970-980-6120 (cell)| ewilmsen@fcgov.com