On Sunday at sundown, Tucson’s Veinte de Agosto Park, a small patch of grass at the western entrance of downtown, was closed in an effort to rid the area of the growing homeless population.
After pressure from area businesses, and in light of the upcoming election, the Tucson City Council called for a discussion about ending the urban camping at what has become known as Safe Park.
Area residents have grown weary of the leaders’ refusal to find housing solutions. As a result, for the first time in years, three City Council members are facing challengers in the upcoming election.
As sundown approached those challengers blasted the current leadership.
Ward 1 Candidate Bill Hunt said, “The taxpayers paid for a park for all the people to enjoy. They were never designed to be a campground. The City Council keeps talking about what to do but never seem to get around to passing the ordinance to resolve people camping in the park. The taxpayers expect our leaders to lead.”
Ward 4 Candidate Margaret Burkholder asked that we “look at the root of this problem. Is it drugs? Mental Health? Lack of jobs or some combination? The city must address these issues and maintain public safety, both for those who call downtown home and those who work there. We are a caring community with a compassion for our neighbors.Let’s find a way to manage the issues of homelessness and addiction collaborating with established community partners while simultaneously maintaining order, civility and the rule of law.”
Jon McLane, the founder of Safe Park described the park in a Facebook post on Sunday. “This morning I met a single mom with a 15 year old son kicked out of her boyfriend’s house and staying at #SafePark. It made me want to cry hearing her story because she deserves better and there is nothing I can do about it, and soon her only refuge in #SafePark will be taken away as well.”
Ward 2 Candidate Kelly Lawton said, “Homelessness in our great city is a direct reflection of the economic state of the city. It is sad to see so many citizens out of work with no roof over their heads with no viable long-term solution in sight. Tucson is the 5th poorest city in the nation. As leaders, we need to ensure every citizens quality of life. We need a solution. We need jobs. We need leadership in the City Council. Tucson Deserves Better.”
The only current leader, who has been vocal about the situation, is Councilman Steve Kozachik. He allegeds that the City officials failed to find solutions and even failed to secure renewal of a contract with Central City Assembly, a local ministry which provides shelter.
Many of the homeless remained at the park after sundown.