Last month, we shared this statement with Brockton’s political leaders, city council & local legislators. In light of tonight’s City Council meeting, we’d like to share it with you.
Please take a moment to review an official statement from the DBA regarding the City Councils recent vote in favor of a punitive ordinance regarding the unhoused population, as well as an example of a community discussion tour that we facilitated in January of this year. This community tour was meant to be a brainstorming of solutions with legislators and community partners that could be used by our local government to help adopt positive chances and support systems in our city.
The DBA is calling upon our legislators to work in partnership with the many direct service organizations here in Brockton, not against them. Without the support, expertise and program access these organizations have – such an ordinance will only do greater damage in Brockton.
We need long term solutions, partnership and new ideas to help Brockton grow and thrive.
#TheWayForward #BrocktonMA #DowntownBrocktonAssociation #dbabrockton
In response to Brockton City Council’s recent ordinance vote regarding the handling of the unhoused here in Brockton, the Downtown Brockton Association (DBA) wishes to make a statement regarding this matter.
Homelessness is a complicated and multi-faceted issue, and that is not unique to Brockton. Those of us who have lived, worked, or visited here over the years have seen how this issue has grown, and how it has affected businesses, residents, and the overall eco-system of Brockton. What is unique to Brockton however is its fortitude, spirit, and legacy of being a true community, not just a city. It is our belief that this ordinance does not match the unique spirit of Brockton.
As an organization that supports business and property owners, our number one priority is to help them, and our residents thrive in the city of Brockton. We understand and empathize with downtown businesses, property owners, and residents that have faced unique challenges because of the growing number of unhoused people in Brockton and support them in humane tactics and new ideas to mitigate property destruction, biohazard issues and loitering.
Our goal is to make Brockton a place where businesses, property owners and residents see value in investing. We support this goal by offering technical assistance, marketing support, grant and volunteer opportunities, as well as networking, all in support of building a small business community that is connected, strong and supportive. Over the past few years, we have supported these goals by inviting both members and the community to engage in open conversations, visiting businesses, conducting a needs analysis, and hosting a State of Downtown Brockton Forum. These initiatives have brought together over 200 business owners, employees, residents, and community members to discuss issues and explore possible solutions. We have also worked diligently to support the Business Improvement District (BID) initiative, and apply for grants and funding to support the safety and beautification of Downtown Brockton and beyond with great success.
Unfortunately, these efforts have not been met with the same level of commitment. We believe that there are many other possible solutions that do not lead to the criminalization of homelessness, and strongly express our desire for those alternative solutions to be brought to light and openly discussed. Additional funding and support are needed for day programs, direct services, shelters, and more. Instead of using law enforcement resources to punish those in critical need, we should be allocating funding specifically for programs that help those in need access opportunity while having somewhere safe, stable and healthy to live and grow.
Homelessness is a systemic issue, not a choice that people would willingly make for themselves. The additional challenges that are brought on when someone is facing the crisis of homelessness will not be mitigated by fines, indictments, and potential jail time. Criminalizing people who are experiencing homelessness is preying on a population of people who are already facing what is most likely the most challenging moment of their lives. Criminalizing people who need access to subsidized housing, emergency shelter, and rehousing supports makes it exorbitantly more difficult for them to access these programs. Therefore, an ordinance, such as this one, will prolong and exacerbate the vicious cycle of homelessness here in Brockton.
We strongly urge our members, supporters, and friends to express their opinion regarding this ordinance to their local city councilor, to the mayor’s office, and to any local governmental entity. In this season of thanks, we are encouraging our leaders and community members to lead their decision-making practices with compassion and approach this difficult topic with an open mind and a goal of uplifting our community.
Respectfully,
The Downtown Brockton Association
What are property owners and businesses looking for from City, State, Federal government:
- One way or another, a response to an email, text, call or attend a meeting, consistently.
- Funding for a day program for the unhoused. It has been stated that there are none due to the state no longer providing funds. This is a major contributor to the challenges.
- Bring in State Police to assist with a diminished police force.
- Bring the MBTA to downtown at least once a week to supplement the existing PD.
- There is an officer assigned to City Hall everyday 8:30 – 4:30, (found out about this last week), why not pull that officer out and pair up with the officer assigned to the downtown area and dedicate them to the Quality of Life Unit? That way an entire shift is concentrating on the problem areas, which includes the City Hall area. If downtown is dealt with move them to other trouble areas.
- Have the PD utilize the mountain bike patrols to augment the efforts.
- Assign a dedicated supervisor to monitor and assist in the efforts to ensure accountability as well as consistency. Many property owners have called 911 or the non-emergency line and supervisor on the shift tells property owners to “get their own security”. .
- Not just give it to a supervisor as an additional duty to all of the other primary duties they are already assigned.
- Lincoln Parking lot or for that matter, all parking lots and garages, to have working security cameras and better lighting.
- Mobile patrol that was once up on Legion Parkway, move to where the issues are
- Ask for the Chief of Police to walk the areas
- City to develop and fund a program for private businesses/property owners to remove graffiti, Worcester and other communities have existing programs in place, replicate them.
- City to develop and fund a “work express” like program through the Brockton Redevelopment Authority.
- The City Council recently approved a F/T clinician to go out with the PD. Increase that to two full time clinicians
- Add an additional social worker in the Mayor’s office at the same caliber as Jazmine Bradsher. She is doing great “feet on the ground” work and cannot do it alone. The Homelessness Task Force has been helpful with other stakeholders coming to the table. John Messia and the taskforce he oversees is helpful too. He needs additional feet on the ground support as well.
- Get portable bathrooms
- Stop giving out needles or not 10 needles for 1. (BAMSI)
- We need something to address the abhorrent amount of trash and debris that builds up, especially surrounding the School Street bridge. Refuse/DPW comes 3 times a week to sweep the Downtown for garbage. (Notice is given so that medication and personal items are not thrown away). However, there may need to be some sort of special response under School Street bridge with the possibility of needles, and anything dangerously unsanitary. Keeping things physically clean affect individuals attitude.
- What is going to happen when the PD moves to Warren Ave/West Elm Street, out of the “ground zero” zone?
- Make a continued effort to keep all streetlight in Brockton in working order in a timely fashion
- Proactive in identifying legislative opportunities to secure funding for the downtown, or “inner core”. Senator Brady initiated the $50,000 for DBA in the Economic Development Bill, and was approved by the legistors. The funding is very slow in coming.
- Support and advocate for the Downtown Vitality Act heard earlier this year by the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, at which the DBA testified. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H228
What property owners can do:
- Report an issue using See Click Fix and or call 911
- Work with the PD to share your security cameras – many of you do this already.
- Get to know your fellow property owners, via the DBA
- Sign and advocate for the petition to create a Business Improvement District – this truly controls your destiny.
- Renew your membership to the DBA
- Become more involved and engaged with the DBA
