Editor,
As I read in The Reflector Sept. 15 about Clark County Matters — apparently a quasi-informational citizens group whose first “mission” is to focus on homeless camps — I had two thoughts:
1.) The group’s conclusion that Clark County’s elected officials are going on a different path than the citizens of Vancouver and Clark County want them to be on is based entirely on one “research project” survey. The fact that reporter Cade Barker did not identify who wrote or designed the survey means that it is possible that the survey could have been written to solicit just the results that Clark County Matters wanted. If someone asks you as you are entering the grocery store, “Are you concerned that (insert your city) will see increases in the crime, drug use and homeless camps that Evil Portland has now?,” of course 90% of people would respond “yes” because nobody anywhere wants those things in their own city.
2.) Clark County Matters proposed camping ban on homeless people would instead require them to either:
• move into a shelter
• go to jail
So, what if Clark County or a city therein doesn’t have enough shelters to house their homeless population, or that the building of new shelters isn’t keeping up with the increased number of homeless people? The homeless campers go directly to jail? As part of his article, Barker should have asked the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and city police departments what it costs per diem to house a person in jail — it certainly isn’t free. And why didn’t Clark County Matters include questions on their one survey about whether Clark County citizens would be in favor of increased taxes to pay for the jailing of homeless campers?
In my opinion, by not focusing on having sufficient shelters and infrastructure first, and then proposing jail time for homeless campers, Clark County Matters is putting the cart before the horse.
Doug Shannon
Battle Ground
