The Monday night Clarkston City Council meeting once again centered around public comments directed at problems with homeless people camping at Foster Park.

Many of the speakers have aired their concerns before. The majority asked the council to take action against unhoused people who disobey city laws. Loose dogs, thefts, an alleged rape involving a registered sex offender and a vulnerable woman were among the chief concerns, along with discarded needles and open drug use.

Children and families who want to use the park, near Diagonal and 10th streets, shouldn’t be subjected to sex offenders, lewd comments and drug addicts, said Jennifer Graham, of Lewiston. She owns a house near the park and is leading a group of advocates who want to reclaim Foster Park for families.

Graham wanted to know why a select group of people are allowed to break the law.

A man who owns a vacant house in the neighborhood said he’s had to board it up and cut power because individuals were trying to get inside and use the electricity to charge devices.

“It’s not up to us to take care of grown adults,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.

Another resident said the city should not be afraid of the recent lawsuit filed by the Northwest Justice Project. “I feel like none of us are being heard. Don’t let that lawsuit put you in fear.”

Last month, four unhoused Clarkston residents, along with the nonprofit Elves for the Homeless, filed a lawsuit against the city of Clarkston in the U.S. Eastern District Court of Washington. The case is still pending in court.

Councilor David Vinton said the council is not afraid of the Northwest Justice Project’s litigation. Groups are working diligently behind the scenes on solutions for the homeless population, he said.

Government works slowly, but the city is trying to do the right thing, Vinton said.

Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com.