Letter to the Editor (Credit: Daria Glakteeva/Unsplash Free Use)
"To initiate a policy that displaces our most vulnerable residents without a readily available alternative seems both premature and unnecessarily punitive."
(The following is a Letter to the Editor submitted to North Penn Now, courtesy of BJ Breish. The views expressed are his own and are not representative of North Penn Now or Lansdale Borough.)
It's completely understandable to feel a mix of emotions when you see changes in our beloved community spaces. I live here too, and I get it. I can see tents right from my backyard, and I've watched more go up over the past few months. As a passionate park advocate and user, I take immense pride in keeping our parks clean and safe, and as a parent of two young daughters, I share in concerns about ensuring our public spaces are welcoming for everyone. But, I also believe we can address these challenges with both compassion and effectiveness, rather than simply moving problems from one place to another.
As an elected official in Lansdale Borough, I'm deeply troubled and dismayed by the recent decision to begin enforcing the prohibition of overnight camping in our borough parks. This move, coming just months before the opening of a county-funded supportive housing facility, feels like a significant step backward in our collective efforts to humanely address homelessness in our community.
Lansdale leadership has recently demonstrated a genuine commitment to working on real solutions for these complex challenges, and I am incredibly proud of our work in this space. We've shown that when we come together, we can tackle difficult issues effectively. This current policy direction, however, doesn't reflect that spirit of collaboration and problem-solving.
While I understand the legitimate concerns about park longevity and protecting our shared public spaces, the implications of this policy change are profoundly concerning. The memo from Mayor Herbert and Police Chief Trail directly links homelessness with park destruction, stating, "we also will not tolerate the destruction and abuse of our parks and our property." This framing is not only counterproductive but also deeply unfair. While some individuals experiencing homelessness may unfortunately contribute to these issues, they are certainly not alone in misusing public spaces. Painting our unhoused neighbors as inherently destructive is akin to kicking someone when they're down and undermines our ability to find genuine, compassionate solutions.
I believe we can, and must, be concerned for the safety and well-being of our parks and be compassionate towards those experiencing homelessness. Both things can be true. Our goal shouldn't be to displace individuals, but to actively work harder to identify real solutions that address the root causes of homelessness while also maintaining our public spaces.
Premature and Punitive Enforcement
To initiate a policy that displaces our most vulnerable residents without a readily available alternative seems both premature and unnecessarily punitive. This new enforcement direction, despite assurances of tact and respect, creates a stressful and unstable situation for those already experiencing immense hardship.
Furthermore, this decision wasn't the result of a council vote. While I understand that existing codes may allow for such enforcement, a policy change with such significant impact on our community's most vulnerable should ideally involve a broader discussion and consensus among elected officials, borough staff, and key stakeholders.
A Call for Compassion and Collaboration
We have an opportunity to demonstrate true compassion and foresight. This means not only waiting until the supportive housing facility is operational, but also committing to a more comprehensive and empathetic approach. I urge a pause in this brash course of action so we can bring all relevant stakeholders to the table to discuss better solutions. We need to work together to develop strategies that genuinely support our unhoused neighbors while ensuring our parks remain safe and accessible for everyone.
I urge all residents who share my concern to email Mayor Herbert at [email protected] and implore him to pause this policy change. Instead, let's focus on developing long-term, humane solutions in conjunction with the opening of the supportive housing facility later this year.
BJ Breish
Ward 1 Councilman
