ABOVE: Slides showing trash and debris from public camp sites in Ellsworth Park were shown during the Council’s discussion of the proposed public camping ordinance.
In front of a packed City Council Chambers, and after the Public Comment period had 11 consecutive people pleading the City Council not to pass an ordinance against camping in parks and on public property; the Council passed it by an 8-4 vote. A previous vote to table it for 30 days came up one short of the required majority of eight “yes” votes.
For those in favor of it, the general consensus was that you can have both the city working with local organizations to help the homeless; and the police having an enforcement mechanism for those disturbing the public who are not wanting to accept help. The point that this is civil and not criminal policing was made by Deputy Police Chief Terry McCord.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: We can make contact with the people, we can make contact with the camps. It gives us the right to make contact with them; and then, hopefully, provide those resources from there. It’s a community policing tool.
(1st Picture) Danville Rescue Board President Michael Ewing. (2nd Picture) A packed crowd in the City Council Chambers. (3rd Picture) Deputy Police Chief Terry McCord speaks.
Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr said that, yes, the city can continue to work with organizations and the public to do more. But he said rather than protecting the few that won’t accept help, the greater good must be protected. And the trouble can go beyond Ellsworth Park. One example the mayor gave was families being concerned about taking their children to Riverview Pediatrics at 102 North Logan; due to trash and debris from nearby public camping.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Our goal is to help people. But also, not just the homeless people; but our citizens. So we have to create an environment that’s safe for all of the people of Danville; and what’s been happening with our homeless situation is not safe.
One of the Public Comment speakers was Danville Rescue Board President Michael Ewing. He’s got one structure with 24 beds, usually only about one-third filled, at 213 North Bowman; and then the Old Fairchild School, that he’d like to see open. He emphasized that besides positive feedback, what he really needs is donations; because he’d like to expand the services they offer.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Our shelter’s just an overnight shelter; come in, give them something to eat. We can’t even give them a bath. We can’t give them any kind of mental services, social services. We’re starting to receive some things, like giving them city bus passes, to try to help them to get licenses, get IDs, and all that. But we don’t have resources available, because we don’t have the funding.
Former Alderman Robert Williams is recognized by Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr at start of meeting.
The “yes” votes for the ordinance came from Carolyn Wands, James Poshard, Mike O’Kane, Rick Strebing, Sherry Pickering, Eve Ludwig, Doug Ahrens, and Jon Cooper. The “no” votes came from Tom Hightower, Mike Puhr, Tricia Teague (who voted via electronic attendance), and Jaleel Jones. Ed Butler was absent, and the late Bob Iverson’s seat was declared vacant, to be filled within 60 days.
Also at the Tuesday meeting, the Council officially accepted a donation for a new classroom building at Friendly Town, from an anonymous donor. At the start of the meeting, Mayor Williams presented Former Alderman Robert Williams with a special award. It was also announced at the start of the meeting that Former Alderman Lois Cooper, one of the first women elected to a government role in Danville, had recently passed away.