And what changes do you actually propose? I agree that homelessness is a major problem in Boulder, but you can’t just snap your fingers and make it disappear. We need to reform and properly fund our social services, not just tell BPD to “crack down on it,” which doesn’t help anybody. Homeless people in Boulder need real help instead of simply being shuffled all over the city. And throwing them in jail (which is unjust in most cases—existing isn’t a crime) causes more problems. What we need to do is:
Stop pushing the problem onto the police to solve.
Provide proper funding for homeless shelters, drug rehabilitation programs, and mental health services.
Provide opportunities for homeless people to make themselves more employable (education, resumé writing services, free public transportation, etc).
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Plus, this petition literally uses a picture of a homeless man that most students like. I’ve met him—he’s an alright guy. I’d like to see him receive help, not be told to leave. Yes, his encampment is unsightly, but this constant NIMBYism is what causes the cycle to continue.
I’m all for increased student safety. I’m all for ending homelessness. But I won’t be signing this petition. It doesn’t suggest any way to solve the problem. Post here again with one that contains good-faith efforts to reform our society, and I’ll enthusiastically add my name to the list.