HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/21/2022 Item 6a, Harway
Delgado, Adriana
From:Zoli Harway <zoliharway@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Public Comments on Agenda item 6.a HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE UPDATE REGIONAL
COLLABORATION
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For City Council Meeting 6/21/2022
Mdm Mayor, Council Members, Fellow San Luis Obispans,
My name is Zoli Harway. I am here today on behalf of the Elks Lodge, #322, to ask for coordinated assistance
addressing the issue of the homeless encampment behind our property at 222 Elks Lane, San Luis Obispo.
Our benevolent organization has been part of this community for over 125 years. We have owned and managed
our property south of town since 1961. Our record of local charitable giving stands for itself. Veterans, Youth,
First Responders, Scholarships, financial endorsements, citizens in need…are all hallmarks of the Elks.
We have always been aware of the rising presence and needs of our homeless brothers and sisters here in our
town. It has been part of our outreach operations, donating to and supporting the organizations which serve this
demographic: Salvation Army, 40 Prado Road, Catholic Charities and so forth. They are heroic in their
mission.
We also understand this way of life is preferred by some. Taking residence in outdoor spaces has become
commonplace for a myriad of reasons. The space behind our Lodge, while private property is sheltered and
appealing. However, it is our property, it’s private, and it is being sorely and illegally abused by homeless
people unwilling to access the aforementioned charitable agencies. Members encamped there are a dangerous
criminal element, encroaching the occupied spaces of membership and visitors with increased regularity and
aggression.
Two fires in the last week alone have caused significant damage and concern. Last year, we spent $10,000
cleaning up the encampments in the wake of continued theft, pollution, trespassing, and destruction of property.
The most recent arson took place in frighteningly close proximity to extensive flammables. That injury or worse
has been avoided is miraculous. We have grave concern about the inevitable if we are unable to control the
situation.
As the problem has been a regularity, we have kept a log of all incidents and our responses to them. As per
instructions from law enforcement, police are called, complaints are filed, we clean up, nothing changes,
aggression escalates.
Access to existing encampments includes US101. It is our understanding that jurisdiction is assigned to Cal
Trans and CHP. The creek itself is Fish and Game, Park Rangers. However, it is the Elks who continue to
absorb the cost of non-action.
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We ask for relief, with the cooperation of all agencies, State, County, City evicting these people from our
property and the adjacent encampment before someone is injured, or worse. We ask for a comprehensive plan to
address the parking and other specific issues related to securing privacy and access to our space.
Respectfully Submitted
--
Zoli Harway
Elks 322 Trustee
805-459-1016
zoliharway@gmail.com
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