POLITICS + GOVERNMENT

Pioneer Park Coalition concerned about security at new homeless resource centers

Sep 23, 2019, 8:33 PM | Updated: 9:29 pm

(Credit: Paul Nelson)...

(Credit: Paul Nelson)

(Credit: Paul Nelson)

SALT LAKE CITY – Hoping history doesn’t repeat itself.

Some business owners in downtown say The Road Home Shelter should have shut down by now, and they claim the delay is causing more concerns.  They believe the same criminal element that plagued the shelter for years could reappear in new homeless resource centers and they want changes to be made.

There was a reason why state officials, law enforcement and homeless advocates picked June 30th as the deadline to close The Road Home Shelter.  Former House Speaker Greg Hughes says they wanted to move those residents and have space ready before the weather gets cold.

“It would be an absolute tragedy if we don’t see this happen as successfully as we planned in the past,” Hughes says.

Now that the deadline has come and gone without the shelter shutting down, Hughes says they have less and less time to make sure security is in place in the new resource centers.  Some officials with the Pioneer Park Coalition have their doubts about the safety of low-barrier shelters, who will essentially take anyone who says they need help.

(Credit: Paul Nelson)

Pioneer Park Coalition Vice Chair David Kelly says, “It doesn’t matter if you’re drunk, if you’re high, if you have a name… anything.  We’ll give you shelter.”

Kelly says they’re very concerned about how people wouldn’t need to provide a real name to live in the centers.

“That’s what happens in the low-barrier shelters because you don’t have to give a name.  You don’t have to say who you are.  It just gets to where you can disappear,” he says.

He says that anonymity helped three separate drug cartels working near The Road Home to recruit homeless people to sell drugs or commit other crimes.  However, Shelter Executive Director Matt Minkevitch says they didn’t have nearly as much help from police as they do now, thanks to Operation Rio Grande.

“We’ve had an unprecedented level of law enforcement involvement to help our community root out some of the severe problems,” Minkevitch says.

He believes that level of police assistance needs to stay the same if they want to eliminate the criminal element at shelters.  Also, he says the vast majority of people who come for shelter are using their real names.

“If someone is using an alias and if Adult Parole and Probation is looking for [them], they’re going to be asking us if someone has been presenting themselves, and we can share that information,” he adds.

Other advocates say there are people in need who will avoid getting shelter because of security measures like check-ins and metal detectors.  Shelter The Homeless Executive Director Preston Cochrane says their main goal is just to convince people to reach out for help.

Cochrane says, “Really, at the end of the day, it’s, ‘How do we connect clients with services?  How do we get people to step out of homelessness and into housing.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Politics + Government

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of t...

Simone Seikaly

Extending state flooding emergency, firearm restrictions, among topics for Utah special session

The OLRGC released an analysis of the expected topics to be discussed during a special session of the legislature.

11 months ago

Migrants seeking asylum in the US look through the border wall as volunteers offer assistance on th...

Nouran Salahieh

End of Title 42 policy brings fewer migrants than expected

Southern border communities report fewer migrants, but concerns remain about overcrowded processing and detention facilities.

11 months ago

President Joe Biden looks on during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Whit...

Maegan Vazquez

Biden facing political pressures from both parties over handling of migration challenge

  (CNN) — President Joe Biden is coming under sustained pressure from both sides of the aisle over the administration’s handling of the expiration of Title 42, the controversial Trump-era pandemic public health restriction that became a key tool to turn back migrants at the US-Mexico border. Title 42 was a public health order established early on in the pandemic with […]

11 months ago

graduates are pictured, the us is offering some student loan debt forgiveness...

Associated Press

The US has approved $42 billion in loan forgiveness for public service workers. Here’s what to know

The program is separate from U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering whether that plan can go ahead.

11 months ago

Migrants stand near the border wall after crossing the Rio Bravo river...

Dakin Andone and Priscilla Alvarez, CNN

Title 42 has expired. Here’s what happens next

The new asylum rule is already facing a legal challenge as the ACLU and other immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit.

11 months ago

Private equity investor Andrew Intrater is one of the people federal prosecutors allege Rep. George...

Fredreka Schouten

Private equity investor identified as political contributor allegedly duped by George Santos

(CNN) — Private equity investor Andrew Intrater is one of the people federal prosecutors allege Rep. George Santos induced to donate money as part of an alleged scheme that diverted purported political contributions to Santos’ personal use, Intrater’s lawyer confirmed to CNN on Thursday. In a 13-count indictment made public Wednesday, prosecutors alleged that Santos and an […]

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Pioneer Park Coalition concerned about security at new homeless resource centers