First of all, I personally don’t have any worry about being ticketed for illegal camping by either Boulder PD officers or OSMP rangers. I choose to camp outside of their jurisdiction, and I advise others to do the same.

But because of all the ruckus being raised by yet another alphabet soup homeless advocacy group, and misleading comments by homeless people quoted in the Daily Camera reportage, I think it worthwhile to make a few points here:

1) Many homeless people with physical and mental disabilities, or in the grip of alcoholism/drug addiction, are at risk camping out at any time of year, and especially in the winter. Jim Budd of Boulder Outreach for Homeless Overflow is correct in stating that the real issue is the lack of enough beds for all of the homeless in need. I see homeless people outside without warm coats or gloves or hats or boots, and without blankets and sleeping bags, despite the literally tons of such gear given away by Boulder County Cares and other groups. These homeless folks are simply unable to utilize resources provided, and must be indoors for their own safety. It serves them not at all to say that camping is now “OK”.

2) Most homeless people would respect their camping environment; they are not the problem. It’s the minority of homeless who are sociopaths, intent on trashing their surroundings as a way to give society the finger, who are a huge problem. These knuckleheads even disrespect the campsites of other homeless people and will steal from them at any opportunity. They harass the public with loud and obnoxious behavior, including aggressive panhandling, and are unashamed to urinate in public or perform other acts not appropriate for viewing by others. They are the ones who commit violent acts, and not exclusively against each other. Even if camping would be declared OK, they could still be ticketed for a whole range of municipal offenses and arrested for a few more serious crimes, too.

3) Paying a $100 fine for illegal camping is a hardship for any homeless person convicted — that’s why the judges are so willing to sentence these offenders to community service instead. This is a good thing as I see it. Many have performed their community service hours at Carriage House in the past, and I know others who have done so at the Humane Society. A few convicted of illegal camping ask the judge for jail time, just a few days, and are apparently happy to relax at Boulder County Jail with the Friday night movie featuring free popcorn and soda pop.

4) If camping were now to become OK in every city park in Boulder, the exodus of Denver transients each May 1st upon closure of Boulder Shelter wouldn’t occur at all. They would remain in Boulder year-round, word would spread, and still more of the worst bad actors would come here. It would be a petty crime wave at best, and a serious threat to public safety at worst. The public’s ability to enjoy these outdoor venues would be destroyed in either case.

Bottom line: This idea to make camping OK everywhere within Boulder should be DOA, if it ever reaches Boulder City Council as a firm proposal requiring their approval.

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