Environment
La Crosse council to take up homeless camping situation at July meeting this week
The problem of how to handle homelessness in La Crosse returns to the city council floor Thursday.
During their monthly meeting, council members will be asked to vote on where camping by unsheltered people could be prohibited in parts of the city.
At a meeting of the council Judiciary and Administration Committee last Wedneday, speakers urged city leaders to find a place where the homeless campers can go.
One speaker, LeAnne Martinez, said she has been homeless herself.
“We need a place, a designated place that these people can go,” Martinez said. “They have the basic human rights, as everyone in here.”
People who live or work near city parks have said some homeless residents have been causing problems for them, even making threats at times.
The owner of the Chances R tavern, Karla Snyder, said she was told to have security at her bar, all the time.
“I can’t afford that,” Snyder said. “I’m losing business because people can’t walk down the street, they can’t park in the (Market Square) ramp. They can’t take their kids to the park. They can’t go to the farmers’ market there any more.”
La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry director Jay Odegaard said city committees could potentially have people coming to them every week, asking for camping to be banned at certain locations.
The city council meets Thursday at 6 p.m. at La Crosse City Hall. Agendas can be viewed here.
R head
July 10, 2023 at 7:52 am
I was just downtown Saturday no body’s there but the drunks and the homeless! Your doing a hell of a job Mitch and the city consul keep up the good work
Yvonne
July 10, 2023 at 10:15 am
I agree with R head. All you do Mitch and Co. is move them around every bloody year, from the expensive motels in the winter on the North side to Houska park and then clear that park out but then they’re on their own. You have money from Covid Spamdemic, use that to build a homeless shelter away from residents homes. Have them build a garden, cook,take care of their bedrooms and hire a few police or guards to supervise them. You have 0 ideas or solutions Mitch and I hope to God someone smarter, who cares about the city of La Crosse residents runs for Mayor next time, because you have done nothing to fix the thousands potholes and cracks in our local roads nor nothing to lessen drugs or crime in this city.
Janet L Jamason
July 11, 2023 at 11:39 am
I agree with you 100%. Most of those people around drugs and alcohol and that’s all they care about everyday. So you tell me what you’re going to do with them maybe some rehab to start with. And maybe teach them how to get a damn job instead of doing drugs.
Arkiya
July 10, 2023 at 6:38 pm
Everyone judging the homeless doesn’t know that they are not all druggies and drunks. Some fell on hard times just like any one of you could at any time. Before throwing stones at glass houses, judge your own home first hypocrites!
Jon
July 10, 2023 at 9:26 am
Two homeless people harassed me as I was walking on a foot path near Riverside Park. One of them refused to allow me passage along the path. The other one said I was
infringing on their property. I was terrified. Much more was said that I can’t
detail. I didn’t say a word, which is
probably why they eventually allowed me
to continue walking.
Kent Porter
July 10, 2023 at 1:50 pm
WOKE MAYOR IF HE LETS THEM LAY AROUND OUR PARKS AND DRINK VODKA. SHOT HEROIN AND SMOKE CRACK THEN MAYOR MITCH THINKS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE HIM MILLIONS TO HOUSE THE WALKING DEAD
Mika Metcalf
July 10, 2023 at 7:32 pm
There isn’t any government land where they could build tiny houses, sheds on wheels, or livable storage type units? These would be better than nothing during the better weather, but perhaps could be created with heating to make them year round. Are there no land owners willing to rent or sell? There are no out of use buildings whose owners are willing to sell to the government for a fair price? An old disused school, office building or factory?
If locals are understandably afraid of having them housed in their neighborhoods (although they are no safer with them roaming the streets as is) why not consider searching further afield? Not to make it a smaller town’s problem, but houses or buildings in a rural area, purchased or rented out?
Properties downtown are pricier than rural areas. It may help remove the temptation and easy access to drugs and alcohol within La Crosse.
The shelter would need to provide ride services, perhaps a daily shuttle to get people to work or doctor’s appointments. Or have doctors visit the shelter. Groceries and essentials brought to them. Wifi for job hunters and remote remote work. Those with jobs could stay in La Crosse shelter to get there easier. Those who can’t work would be ideal for out of town spot.
Logistics of any plan are tricky, but seeing as city officials have done a whole lot of talking about this situation and very little action, I think new ideas should be considered.
Cai
July 10, 2023 at 7:34 pm
Give these people housing! Christ, it’s not hard to have basic empathy and compassion. Provide a roof and address, help them get to the job center, AA/NA, Teach financial literacy, help them get on their feet and give them the knowledge to let them stay on their feet. This in the end is far cheaper than any other approach Americans take to homelessness too.
Heather
July 10, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Very sad and small minded comments listed here. I have been on both sides of this argument and really wish that the public would educate themselves in a much more rounded way before speaking such closed opinions, oversimplifying very complex situations I’m placing blame on the shoulders of the few when there is so many involved in overcomplicating these issues
MayorIsStupid
July 11, 2023 at 7:18 am
GET THIS POISON OUT OF LACROSSE!!!! YOU ARE BRINGING DRUGS INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR CHILDREN! GO TO HELL MAYOR
Hope lewis
July 11, 2023 at 10:51 am
Has anybody ever thought about maybe doing something like the hotel idea kind of but something a little different to like I know some of the homeless population some of them can be rowdy and disrespectful but that’s not everyone id say have somewhere everyone had their own rooms and had somewhere to shower everyday and eat and a place to lay there head without the stress or worries about where there gonna go the next night…that alone is enough enough motivation. I’m not saying have no rules obviously there would be rules and if someone broke them then they would have to leave. I think at this place they should have an office there or even just visitors from some place like reach that come and help them with job applications and people who will come and actually hear there stories out and their backgrounds understand them better rather than just judge them cause of their situation. Believe it or not a little motivation and something to look forward to (just a little hope) could go so far.
Jack
July 11, 2023 at 12:51 pm
Concerning city parks, residents and visitors have REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS when they enter those city parks. A Venue such as a City Park falls under Contract Law which states that the General Public has a REASONABLE EXPECTATION it won’t encounter homeless encampments, garbage and a bunch of hippies shooting up and lying about. Private individuals should not be obligated to shelter the homeless on their properties because if any of those homeless commit mayhem and/or burn down their personal property, INSURANCE WON’T COVER THE LOSSES! Also, the city bond ratings would be in jeopardy with the existence of a Seattle Chop Zone on the Mississippi River. Stop promoting La Crosse as Madison West, Mitch. Ship a busload of homeless to your Madison Masters.