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of 16 19 <br />Online Q18: Is there anything you would like to add about community safety in Eugene? <br />SRI Phase 1: No similar question <br />There were 1,040 individual responses to this question (57 pages of text). Again, as in the previous two <br />qualitative questions, the central theme of the responses was homelessness, with two distinct subcategories: <br />the need for more services, and the need for stronger enforcement. Additionally, there were a small number of <br />respondents that mentioned concerns about systemic economic issues such as PERS (Public Employee <br />Retirement System), and insufficient funding for public education. Concerns about bike path safety and traffic <br />safety were also mentioned. <br />Homelessness <br />Need More Services: Many respondents recognized the complex array of issues that surround <br />homelessness, including drug and alcohol abuse, mental health, housing, and the fact that some people <br />identified as homeless are merely travelers—and that these folks are less “worthy” of receiving social services <br />support. Other strong threads of agreement included concerns about public health (sanitation and discarded <br />needles), and support for basic needs services, and CAHOOTS. While most of the comments focused on the <br />Downtown area, many respondents were concerned about adjacent neighborhoods (i.e. Whitaker) and other <br />areas in Eugene. There was a small number of comments that supported more police officers trained in how to <br />interact with homeless people, especially people experiencing mental health issues. <br />Need More Enforcement: the predominant theme in this subcategory was the need for more police <br />officers and stronger enforcement of existing laws that would discourage homeless people from congregating <br />in Downtown Eugene. There were numerous emphatic suggestions to copy what other cities (i.e. Springfield, <br />Corvallis) have done to move the homeless population out of their downtown cores. The “Magnet Myth” was <br />also a central theme, with the feeling that providing more services attracts more homeless people, and that <br />stricter enforcement would decrease the number of homeless people in Eugene. Many respondents who <br />advocated for more services also pointed out their concern that increased enforcement activities in Downtown <br />Eugene would push problems out into adjacent neighborhoods and parks. <br />Be More Strict with the Homeless: The other distinct trend in the data was the feeling that the City <br />should be less tolerant with the homeless population, and that the presence of support services actually <br />increased the number of homeless people in our community because they come here seeking support services <br />(known as the “Magnet Myth”). This group of comments included ideas such as a camping ban, a panhandling <br />ban, and a loitering ban. More aggressive police enforcement, and increased police patrols was also mentioned <br />predominantly. Many respondents suggested looking to Springfield as a model that aggressively targets <br />undesirable behaviors and therefore decreases the number of homeless people in their downtown area. <br />September 26, 2018, Work Session – Item 1