To Mayor Woods, Vice Mayor, and Members of the Tempe City Council:

We, the undersigned residents and supporters of safe neighborhoods and responsible humanitarian efforts, respectfully urge you to adopt Ordinance No. O2026.20.

We believe Tempe can and should help individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and economic hardship. Compassion is one of our community’s core values.

At the same time, compassion must be delivered in a way that protects the health, safety, and quality of life of all residents.

Providing food alone does not solve homelessness, addiction, or mental health challenges. Lasting change requires coordinated services that address substance abuse treatment, employment, case management, and pathways to stable housing.

When independent groups provide services without coordination, oversight, or appropriate facilities, unintended consequences can occur. In neighborhoods across Tempe, residents have experienced drug activity, discarded needles and fentanyl foil, overdoses, public urination and defecation, litter, and other serious public health and safety concerns near homes, schools, parks, and playgrounds.

These impacts harm;
    •    Individuals in need, who deserve comprehensive support rather than temporary relief alone.
    •    Neighborhood residents who deserve safe and sanitary communities.
    •    Children who deserve to play and attend school free from exposure to dangerous conditions.

We support organizations and individuals who want to help.  We encourage these groups to partner with established, city-supported programs that provide coordinated, evidence-based services in locations equipped to manage these activities responsibly.

We believe humanitarian efforts should be;
    •    Coordinated with existing service providers.
    •    Conducted in appropriate, well-managed locations.
    •    Supported by sanitation, security, and cleanup plans.
    •    Implemented in ways that minimize impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.

Ordinance No. O2026.20 is a reasonable and necessary step to provide the City of Tempe with tools to address recurring activities that create substantial nuisances and harm neighboring properties and public spaces.

We respectfully ask the Tempe City Council to;
    1    Adopt Ordinance No. O2026.20.
    2    Clearly communicate expectations for event organizers regarding safety, sanitation, supervision, and cleanup.
    3    Encourage organizations to coordinate with established service providers and city-supported programs.
    4    Prioritize service locations that minimize impacts on residential neighborhoods, schools, daycares, parks, and playgrounds.

Tempe can be both compassionate and responsible.

We can help those in need while protecting the safety, dignity, and well-being of the entire community.

Respectfully submitted,

Tempe City Residents & Voters