The Homeless Problem from Laurie KingJudi Funk
From: Laurie & John King <gus505594@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2024 1:40 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL The Homeless Problem
I live in Kila and I did not go to the public meeting on the Homeless Shelter, but I did watch the entire
Youtube video of it. I wasn't able to make the meeting.
Please read to the end, I have a suggestion.
I can't believe some of the stories that people had about problems on their private property from
Homeless people. It's sad and maddening. This should not be happening.
I won't shop at Albertson's anymore due to Homeless people hanging around the doors. Smith's has the
same problem.
I was approached by a homeless man in the parking lot of Super One asking for spare change.
Last week I saw the bus stop lean to next to Smith's was full of clothes and garbage, and a homeless man
was sitting under the cover of the lean to, but on the cement. It was disgusting.
Every time I go into Kalispell I see homeless people all over, walking in the streets or sitting in any grassy
area available. I saw the picture of the guy who had his clothes hanging on the grizzly bear statue near
McDonald's, and trash all over the ground next to him. Such a nice thing to see driving into Kalispell.
Last summer there were homeless people on the bike path into Kila. A couple of homeless people were
also walking down Browns Meadow Road, near where I live, pulling little red wagons piled high with
clothes and belongings. I believe they lived in the woods out here for the summer.
We have a friend who is one of 4 or 5 Pastors in a smaller town southeast of Kalispell. They have a kitty
people donate to for temporary homeless people in their community. There were more and more people
asking for money from the kitty, some had the same excuses, they needed a ticket back to Washington
State because their mother was dying. The number of homeless wanting a handout got up to 150 in a
town with the population of 1200. The Pastors got together and made a rule. Anyone asking for money
has to give their name, their license number, and the local sheriff will do a background check on
them. Well, the number of 150 went down to 5, that's FIVE people who actually live in their area and
need some help. I thought that was a great idea.
The more handouts the homeless get, the more they will want. I wonder where they get the money for
cigarettes, cell phones, and drugs. The one lady who spoke at the meeting said her cousin was homeless
and was making more money being homeless than he was working for somebody. Then he was
murdered by another homeless person.
If you don't nip this problem in the bud, it will just get worse. I think vetting people like the church in the
previous paragraph is a good idea. That should scare a lot of them away, and they won't put out the word
that Kalispell is a great place to be homeless,
Thank you for your time reading this.
Laurie King
Kila, Montana