We continue to see the disastrous effects of the Homeless Camping Ordinance on our city.

They are becoming so common that we could send out daily emails. It is absolutely tragic.

Here are a few recent developments:

On Friday night, a homeless woman stabbed five innocent people over 30 minutes in downtown Austin. Two of the victims were UT students. She confessed to the attacks after being arrested at the ARCH downtown.

After this news came out, Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for the city to end the Homeless Camping ordinance, saying:

"City of Austin leaders have allowed lawlessness throughout the capital city that is resulting in violence against Austin residents, including those who are homeless. Last night’s tragedy, leaving three injured, is just the most recent instance of this violence. This rise in violence has corresponded with the revocation of the camping ban that the Austin City Council passed in June. Public endangerment and murder can no longer be tolerated because of the actions – and inactions – by City officials. Mayor Adler and the city council should re-instate the camping ban and restore the rule of law in Austin. The City’s gamble on these reckless policies has been a loser and must end now."

This news comes just two days after a homeless individual was murdered at a homeless camp on St. Elmo road that the city did not know about.

News site The Texan recently reported that the Freebirds stabbing came after a homeless person with violent criminal history was released on a personal recognizance bond, encouraged by at least one City Council member. Had he not been released, he would not have committed these crimes.

Unfortunately, my prediction that the unwise Homeless Camping Ordinance would lead to violence has come true. What is most shocking is that our city leaders refuse to admit their mistake. They refuse to put public safety first.

I will not rest until the Homeless Camping ordinance is overturned. I know you won't either.

To date, we are nearing 60,000 signatures on our petition to rescind the Homeless Camping Ordinance, without one penny spent on advertising.

We hope to announce our plan in the next two weeks. We have been working hard on building our coalition and devising our strategy.

In the meantime, we can still use your help.

TO HELP US:

1. Please share our petition on your social media networks (Facebook, NextDoor, Twitter, LinkedIn). Just ask people to visit SaveAustinNowPetition.com.

2. Contribute to our effort to re-institute the ban on homeless camping. You can give online here (http://www.PayPal.me/saveaustinnow or send a check to "Save Austin Now" and mail to 807 Brazos Street, Suite 408, Austin, TX 78731.

If you are part of an organization that would like to support and help pass a ballot initiative to reinstate the homeless camping ban, please email me (matt@saveaustinnow.com) and let me know.

Sincerely,

Matt Mackowiak

Save Austin Now co-founder

(email: matt.mackowiak@gmail.com)