City and community organization leaders gathered at the Fort Boise Community Center to lay out a plan to clear the homeless out of Cooper Court.
Boise City Mayor Dave Bieter and Chief William Bones of the Boise Police department addressed the media and members of the community about the need to clear out the area off River Street in downtown Boise.
"The situation at Cooper Court has become increasingly a concern for us. I hoped as it got colder, the numbers would go down," said Mayor Bieter, "Unfortunately, it went the other way."
The city instead of enforcing controversial "anti-camping" laws has decided to rally several organizations including the Idaho Food Bank, Idaho Youth Ranch, Women's and Children's Alliance and others to provide as many services as needed to help those camping in the tent city area.
The plan comes as a result of the mayor declaring a state of emergency with the Ada county Clerk's office to utilize government resources to help relocate the homeless. Campers that agree to leave Cooper Court can choose to be transported to the Temporary Community Resource Center at the Fort Boise Community Center.
The TCRC will offer medical care, meals, showers, clean clothes and a warm bed. Service providers will be on site to offer information about shelter options. Those in need will be given vouchers for taxis and bus travel.
“Our full focus is on making this a compassionate, thoroughly-planned transition for our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Bieter, who also issued a declaration of local disaster today as part of the effort. “We have an amazing group of non-profits in this city eager to help everyone experiencing homelessness in our community. We hope that the support and understanding we give them during this time will help each and every one of them decide to take advantage of those resources.”
"Today is a day we have to stand up and help people in our community, these are members of our community," said Chief William Bones, "It’s about taking a different approach this isn’t about enforcement this is about the safety of these people."
City officials say they will encourage and help any and all residents of Cooper Court to move out and relocate. They cite safety and health concerns for the not allowing them to stay.
"We will make every attempt through the process to get them to the best possible resolution of this. At the end of the day they simply cannot stay in the situation that has taken place at Cooper Court," added Mayor Bieter.
Chief Bones did reiterate that this is not about enforcement of the laws but about helping the homeless in that area, however he did say if anyone chose to remain after today they could be arrested and moved by Boise Police.
“Our full focus is on making this a compassionate, thoroughly-planned transition for our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Bieter, who also issued a declaration of local disaster today as part of the effort. “We have an amazing group of non-profits in this city eager to help everyone experiencing homelessness in our community. We hope that the support and understanding we give them during this time will help each and every one of them decide to take advantage of those resources.”
The ACLU which scheduled a counter-protest on November 3rd released a statement with the following information:
The ACLU of Idaho, in solidarity with the poor and oppressed across the state of Idaho, condemns the City of Boise for its mass raid and eviction of the Cooper Court community today.
"Statement from Executive Director Leo Morales:
What we saw today in Boise is government at its most shameful. Government should be open, transparent, and democratic. The City of Boise launched a secretive, surprise attack on a vulnerable community. We are aware of no open meeting that the City ever held about its plan, nor did the City ever discuss its plan with Cooper Court residents. The planning was done behind closed doors, to intentionally keep the broader community out. The taxpayers and the people directly impacted were left out. Government should work with and for the people, not against them.
Instead, the City intentionally created panic, confusion, and paranoia. Worse, it is forcibly evicting and processing human beings. Although the City has arranged for so-called “transition” assistance, that—of course—is just what forced government displacement always looks like. We have seen this kind of government displacement before in American history, and it has always been shameful. The City cannot spin its way out of the cruel bottom line: today, it destroyed a community using totalitarian tactics."We will continue to update the story throughout the day on 6OnYourside.com
