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From:Brett Weber <br />To:publiccomment <br />Subject:Re: Support for Encampment Ordinance <br />Date:Monday, July 21, 2025 8:39:50 AM <br />You don't often get email from brett.weber@icloud.com. Learn why this is important <br />Dear Councilmembers, <br />As a Redwood City resident since 1987, I deeply value our community—the parks, the sense <br />of safety, the excellent public services, and the vibrant, welcoming spirit of our city. I’m proud <br />of what Redwood City stands for and what it continues to strive toward. <br />However, the growing issue of homelessness has become an urgent concern—not just for me, <br />but for my neighbors and my clients who own businesses and properties here. Living just a <br />few blocks from downtown, I’ve stepped in many times to support neighbors and local <br />businesses facing homelessness-related challenges. I’ve encountered individuals passed out on <br />sidewalks, witnessed drug use—including a person smoking crack on my property—and heard <br />firsthand from a client who had to escort employees to their cars due to harassment from <br />nearby RV encampments. These aren’t isolated incidents; they reflect a broader, ongoing issue <br />that threatens public safety, livability, and property values. <br />Most troubling was a recent incident when an elderly neighbor came to my door in tears, <br />overwhelmed by a homeless encampment just 100 yards from our homes—directly across the <br />street from where he has lived for over 20 years. “What can we do?” he asked me, genuinely <br />distressed. <br />No resident in any city should feel this helpless in their own neighborhood. <br />I understand the Council is considering a proposed ordinance that would allow the city to offer <br />shelter and assistance as a first step, with enforcement measures only pursued if those services <br />are declined. I—and many others—strongly support this compassionate yet practical approach. <br />It honors the dignity of those in need while addressing the responsibility we have to ensure a <br />safe, healthy community for everyone. <br />Similar policies have shown promise in other California cities and align with recent initiatives <br />like CARE Court and updates to conservatorship laws. While no single policy is a complete <br />fix, this ordinance represents a meaningful and necessary step forward for Redwood City. <br />I respectfully urge you to adopt this ordinance. It’s time to act—for the sake of those <br />experiencing homelessness and for the future of our city. <br />Thank you for your service and commitment to our community. <br />Sincerely, <br />Brett Weber