The Pittsburg City Commission on Monday night dove headfirst into a lengthy conversation about homelessness at their bi-weekly meeting.
KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.
The topic wasn’t even on the agenda, however, the city commission and city staff engaged for more than 24 minutes on various fronts on the topic of homelessness such how to improve the situation, and how it’s changed since the COVID pandemic.
It was brought to the commission's attention Monday during the three-minute public comment period by resident and downtown business owner Sandra Bain who is growing increasingly impatient regarding what she perceives as a worsening of homelessness in Pittsburg. This is one concern Sandra spoke about at the meeting.
“I have knowledge of a person who was in prison for 50 years. He kidnapped a seven-year-old child and attempted to kill her by throwing her in a river. Thankfully she could swim and get to safety.
He was recently released to Crawford County from Sedgwick County. He isn’t registered because there weren’t those laws in 1973. How come we are accepting this in our community?”
Overall, members of the commission understand that residents are seeing more homeless in the community, and the city is using its resources and laws to reduce the number.
However, there is no quick fix, and it will take a willingness to work together between city officials and non-profits to improve the situation.
Copyright 2024 Four States Public Radio. To see more, visit Four States Public Radio.
