Clarkston residents applaud city for new park rules

After almost a year of listening to concerns about homeless problems, Clarkston officials heard words of praise and gratitude Monday night for the city’s tougher stance on crimes in parks.

Several people said the conditions at Foster Park, where homeless folks are allowed to camp, have vastly improved since stiffer regulations went into effect Wednesday.

Now people who repeatedly break the rules can be banned from city parks, and far fewer campers are pitching tents at Foster Park. Volunteers in a Facebook group known as “Advocates for Foster Park” and a few nearby church members helped clean the area over the weekend.

Councilor Skate Pierce said their efforts didn’t go by unnoticed. “It was an excellent community effort, and I’m appreciative of that,” he told the group, who are regular attendees of council meetings.

Ronald Kunze, of Clarkston, complimented the police department for “taking care of the vagrant problem,” saying the new ordinance is working. “They’ve done a fine job,” he said.

In addition, Kunze said he’s looking forward to the new jail being finished. Lack of space at the current facility has been a factor in recurring crimes at Foster Park because offenders are often booked and released rather than being locked up, he said.

The new jail, which was approved by voters in 2019, is expected to open in February. It will house up to 144 inmates once it’s completed.

Melyssa Andrews, a former councilor who now lives outside city limits, said she appreciates the police following up on the ordinance. Her 17-year-old daughter, Chelsea Andrews, thanked the advocates who spearheaded the Foster Park cleanup and said the site looks much better.

Police Chief Joel Hastings said officers began the process by educating the people who were staying at Foster Park. Copies of the city’s ordinance and camping rules were distributed, and law enforcement answered questions.

The benefit of having tighter regulations on the books is that the consequences are immediate, Hastings said. When someone breaks the law, he or she has to leave a park rather than go through the citation process, which can take months.

“So far, it’s been very effective,” Hastings said. “Our officers are grateful we have something (in place) that makes a difference.”

Complaints have decreased, and a significant amount of property has been removed. Some of the unhoused have moved on, and others are showing up in the business corridor, which was an unintended consequence, the chief said.

Law enforcement met with several business owners Monday to discuss the situation and possible remedies, Hastings said.

In other city business:

Mayor Monika Lawrence said the city has hired a new public works director who will begin next week. Mike Dimmick, of Troy, has 30 years of experience and is a good fit for Clarkston, she said. He replaces Ed Coffland, who resigned last month.

Jim Griffin, of Clarkston, told officials this would be his last appearance at a city council meeting. The longtime resident said he’s tired of his concerns not being addressed, and the excuses the city gives him for not enforcing laws.

In a prepared statement, Griffin listed several code violations he’s seen, including puncture weeds near Grantham Elementary School, dumpsters on Burns Street, parking at Arnold Park, and Washington residents who have Idaho license plates.

“Yes, I complain and speak up,” Griffin said. “Then there are those that complain and do nothing, and it’s not going to get better.”

A vacant council position is still up for grabs. Applications are now available at City Hall, 829 Fifth St. Candidates must be 18, registered to vote and a resident of the city. After the closing date, the council will conduct interviews before appointing a replacement for Steven Ebert, who moved out of city limits this summer.

Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com. You can follow her on X @newsfromkerri.