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Deb Williams <br />From: <br />Sent: <br />Subject <br />Dear City Council of Everett, <br />Ashley Wright <mshley.aarie@gmail.com> <br />Wednesday, March 03, 2021 4:18 PM <br />DL-Council <br />Re: Ordinance CB 2102-06 <br />am a concerned citizen reaching out to you about the effects of ordinance CB 2102-06, if imposed and put into effect. <br />Criminalizing houselessness is not the appropriate way to mitigate the issue of people living on the streets. I find it <br />appalling that one would even suggest this measure to be an appropriate response. Punishing community members who <br />have no where to stay is immoral and lacking the necessary humanity needed to resolve the issues regarding the <br />epidemic of houselessness - especially in the midst of the pandemic. It is not a crime to lack shelter. It is not a crime to <br />be houseless. It is not criminal to sleep outdoors when you have no where else to go. The ordinance you are suggesting <br />is not the answer, and the repercussions of imposing this ordinance will be detrimental to our community. I understand <br />there is a desire to "clean up" the streets - but this is not the way. Not only is it unethical and immoral, but it will not <br />solve the issue at hand. People are not choosing to sleep on the streets, people in these circumstances have no other <br />option. Why are there not more efforts being put forth to provide options? Why is the first response to punish and <br />criminalize. Has history taught us nothing?? We know these types of measures do and solve nothing. So why even <br />humor such an idea?? <br />I am pleading with you, do not pass this ordinance. Do not criminalize those who are already struggling. There are ways <br />to solve the issue at hand, there are options. This is not the way. <br />Best, <br />Ashley Wright. <br />Ashley Wright <br />(she/her/hers) <br />mshley.aarie@gmail.com <br />614.517.2085 <br />1 <br />