Warming Center Public Comment from Debra SzalayChad Graham,
I was at the meeting last night, but had to leave a little early so couldn’t say my piece.
I’m sure that the WS staff is wonderful and that the people staying overnight are held to a high standard of behavior. I don’t want or need a tour. The thing is, a lot of the damage
and horrendous behavior is done during the day when the center is closed, so saying the WS people are innocent in all this mess is ridiculous.
I am on Glacier St. My neighbors young son goes to Peterson. They have tried walking to school a couple of times and have been screamed at and have seen everything from exposed body
parts to fighting, pooping, and passed out drunks. Just driving to school recently they saw an ambulance pulling a body out of the ditch. Her son has been really traumatized by all
of this. We too have needles in our yards and strangers walking the neighborhood.
For the first time in my life, I won’t even go to Albertsons by myself after dark. I used to walk at Gateway Mall, but can’t even do that now bc of the transients sleeping in chairs,
asking for money, etc. I am 72 years old and I have never been afraid before.
I am as compassionate as they come, but I refuse to be made to feel guilty for wanting to protect my family and my property. I, just like all of these other neighbors have worked for
years (I’ve been in my house 48) for our homes and little piece of the world. I have empathy for the homeless and the addicts, but I am neither of those things, and it isn’t up to
me to provide things for them so they can disrespect or destroy the things that I have worked and saved for my whole life.
A shelter is needed, but the tail is wagging the dog with the Warming Center. So every night 40 of them are warm, and during those times they are on their best behavior, and then
revert back to problem children who roam the streets all day when they are booted out. There is no accountability for their actions.
We have all been through trauma and been treated unfairly in life. Many much worse than others. But there are resources for the people who truly want the help. Simply enabling and
making excuses for them isn’t the answer.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to voice my opinion.
Sincerely,
Debra Szalay
15 Glacier Street
Kalispell, Mt