The Social Action Working Group of Congregation Sukkat Shalom opposes the adoption of Ordinance 2016-44 and urges all Assembly members to vote against it. We understand that individuals sleeping outdoors in the downtown area is a problem, both for business owners and for the individuals who are forced to live in these circumstances, however the criminalization of homelessness is not a civil, respectful or compassionate response to these concerns nor is it an example of compassionate treatment of our fellow citizens.
Criminalizing homelessness in this manner will only create more problems. The people who would be subject to the proposed penalties are exactly the people least able to pay a fine. This inability to pay inevitably leads to compounding court fees, and even incarceration, all disproportionate consequences for sleeping outdoors. These are known, foreseeable consequences of this ordinance, and by passing this, the Assembly will be knowingly endorsing this treatment of homeless Juneau citizens.
The ordinance, if passed, would also cause the City and Borough of Juneau to incur real costs in enforcing it. If the Assembly adopts this ordinance, it is sending a message that it is willing to spend its very limited resources issuing citations for fines that will almost certainly go uncollected, but which will have to be handled and processed by city employees and the courts, tying them up in a futile attempt to collect small fines from Juneau’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens. We believe this is not a wise decision for the Assembly; time and money spent on enforcement would be better used addressing the root causes of homelessness, including Juneau’s lack of affordable housing.
Finally, this ordinance and its inevitable consequences, as well as the message its passage would send to the people of Juneau, runs squarely against Resolution 2783, “A Resolution Proclaiming Calendar Year 2017 a Year of Civility and Respect and Calling Upon the Citizens and Visitors to Our Community to Act in a Manner that Reflects Those Qualities,” recently adopted by the Assembly, and the Juneau Police Department’s declaration that 2017 would be a Year of Kindness. That resolution “affirms the CBJ’s intent to be a community where all citizens can thrive.” People who must sleep outdoors, downtown, are equal citizens of Juneau, and are entitled to the same opportunity to thrive regardless of their circumstances. The City and Borough of Juneau should follow its own resolution and its own police department and find a way to create opportunities for everyone to thrive instead of further hindering their day-to-day lives by criminalizing homelessness.
We understand that one justification for this proposed ordinance is that it is merely a piece of a broader plan to address homelessness in downtown Juneau. However, even as an element within this broader plan we cannot support it. In lieu of fines, CBJ must provide other easily accessible resources and alternatives, for all people affected by this proposed ordinance, both the homeless and property owners.
Fairness, justice and compassion are basic tenets of Judaism and we stand opposed to any actions that go counter to these ideals. For these reasons, we strenuously oppose Ordinance 2016-44 and urge the Assembly to act civilly, respectfully, and compassionately towards Juneau’s most vulnerable citizens by voting against passage of this ordinance.
• Leah Farzin is the co-chairperson for the the Social Action Working Group of Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Juneau.
