BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Mayor Seth Fleetwood promises swift action to deal with homeless campers who boomeranged back to Laurel Park after they left at last Friday’s deadline.
City Councilmember Lisa Anderson represents Ward 5 which includes the park and she told yesterday’s council meeting that she’s hearing from her constituents.
Anderson said people are feeling as though they’re in a hostage situation and don’t feel safe leaving their homes.
She and other councilmembers criticized protesters who they say are standing between the homeless campers and services that are provided for them.
Councilmember Michael Lilliquist says the protests aren’t aimed at helping the homeless so much as simply shaming the mayor and the council; he says he does not feel ashamed even though he knows the system is less than optimum.
He says the protesters ignore the money and effort the city and its partners are investing in the overall issue of homelessness.
Mayor Fleetwood wouldn’t elaborate on the city’s plans for Laurel Park but was adamant that the situation wouldn’t continue for long.