Letter: Why are people protesting routine cleaning at homeless sites?

A protester is detained by Salt Lake police officers during a clash over the Salt Lake County Health Department’s efforts to clean up homeless encampments in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

I just want to thank the Deseret News for publishing the article on Salt Lake Health Department activities to clean up potential public health hazards and materials, etc., accumulated at homeless “tent cities” at various locations (“2 arrested as health workers clear out, clean up downtown homeless camps,” Dec. 9).

It was good to see that complete and accurate information was provided about the efforts of the health department workers to inform residents of these homeless locations of the upcoming cleanup. It was also good to learn that efforts are made to inform the homeless of options they have while living on the streets. The article also informed us of the problems, for some, in qualifying for residence in a homeless shelter.

I am concerned and bothered about the actions of protesters who seem to be only interested in causing disruption and creating the image that our police are enforcing a “police state”-like policy. The police presence would not be necessary if protesters, as shown in other situations, would not be so destructive, damaging property and people. I thank those employed in protecting public and private property against destructive and unlawful actions of just a few.

I think the Deseret News staff has done a great job in presenting the many different issues, actions and opinions regarding this problem.

Reynold Brown

Nixa, Missouri

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