We need an Outdoor Sharps Disposal Kiosk On State Street!

Mayor Soglin recently sent a letter to Madison Alders citing numerous behavioral issues downtown (see letter at the end of this petition). He attributed these issue to "drifters" and his letter included 4 examples of "drifter" behavior:

1. Individuals under the influence of narcotics occupying the benches near Urban Outfitters and the steps of Frances Street.  

2. Over a half dozen hypodermic needles were found in the grassy area alongside The Towers.

3. The area was littered with food and other debris.
4. On several occasions last week clothing was littering the area including feces laden pants.

I wrote and asked Soglin to please engage Madison's clean needle exchange program, LIFEPOINT, right away with regard to used syringe disposal and more importantly, outreach. His response, "needle exchange is not the answer in this instance – but needle disposal." We need both - EXCHANGE and DISPOSAL. We also need more outreach and education. Along with more public bathroom facilities and benches.

Giving individuals who inject drugs a safe and accessible path to disposal will reduce some of the risk associated with used syringes. It is a PUBLIC HEALTH NECESSITY.

Please sign this petition and show your support for an Outdoor Sharps Disposal Kiosk on State Street.

Here's CDC information on syringe exchange programs, why they matter, and who they support:   CDC Syringe Exchange

Thank you for your voice - PLEASE SHARE THIS PETITION!

Stay safe,

Wendy Schneider

Here is Mayor Soglin's letter:

From: Mayor
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2015 2:05 PM
To: All Alders; Dept Division Heads
Subject: Recent Downtown Behavioral Issues
April 24, 2015
In the past two weeks there has been a serious increase in the number of drifters in downtown Madison. Those of us who regularly use the front entrance of the City County Building noticed a number of new arrivals. In addition, new encampments were established including one on Frances Street between State Street and Langdon Street.
The Frances Street situation rapidly deteriorated last week.
1. On Saturday, a number of individuals were clearly under the influence of narcotics occupying the benches near Urban Outfitters and the steps of Frances Street.
2. On Tuesday over a half dozen hypodermic needles were found in the grassy area alongside The Towers.
3. On Wednesday the area was littered with food and other debris
4. On several occasions last week clothing was littering the area including feces laden pants.
On Friday at 3:00 am, city park crews went into the area and power washed the block. The improvement was significant but it is not expected to keep the area safe and healthy if the behavior reoccurs (Those encamped were told of the cleaning in advance and found other locations to bed down on Thursday night.)
Including this location and the City County Building, encampments exist at Union Corners along the Yahara River at Burr Jones Field, alongside MG&E property by E. Wilson, as well as sporadically near Monona Terrace. They all present continual health threats because of the lack of proper sanitation practices as well as continued intravenous drug use – syringes are regularly found in grassy areas around the Square.
This is not a homeless issue. It is a matter of public health and safety since there are restroom facilities adjacent to the City County Building. If there were a day shelter and enough housing, these activities would continue.
This is not a homeless issue –there were several active placements of chronically homeless that failed. Without compromising confidentiality and HIPA requirements let me simply say that available housing is being refused and in several instances homeless individuals have sabotaged their placement. Several individuals, feeling coerced, accepted housing placements only to act in such a manner as to leave management no alternative than to throw them out.
Downtown Madison belongs to all the people of Madison and our visitors. It represents $100’s of millions in public investment not to mention the private commitments.
In the coming weeks I am going to use all of the administrative solutions available to me to force the dangerous behavior to stop. I know that in defense of the homeless, some will consider these measures draconian, but enough is enough. The combination of City and County policies that encourage drifters to come to Madison, and the concerted efforts of others to send them here has reached an intolerable level.
The following measures will be taken:
1. All illegal outdoor living and encampments will be stopped, and individuals who wish to live out doors will be given an opportunity to go the City County Building or shelters.
2. Madison Police will be in touch with shelters to make sure there is available space as they force drifters out of unsanitary public spaces.
3. We will request that all services that provide free food only do so at the City County building. If that is not heeded I will request adoption of an ordinance to give us greater control – we will not ban free food, we will control where it is distributed for health and sanitary reasons.
4. I have asked the City Attorney to research legislation to designate all of State Street and the Capital Square a public park. That will give us greater control of behavior.
5. I will request adoption of an ordinance that limits occupation of public benches to one hour – they are to be shared and used by everyone.
6. The health department will patrol the area and assist in citing those who are drug users endangering all by their careless use of needles.
We are losing control of our city because of the overly indulgent behaviors tolerated at the City County Building. Because of those behaviors, the situation is spreading to a wider area. While I have little influence on those who manage and control the City County Building I will not abdicate my responsibility and will use the resources available to the city of Madison to bring safety and sanity back to our downtown. I encourage all Madisonians who agree with me, to contact their City and County representatives on the Council and County Board and indicate their support.
Again, my apologies, to my co-workers who also have offices at the City County Building and to the public that uses the building. My efforts to bring some sense of safety have failed. Nevertheless, while the situation deteriorates there, I am not going to stop trying to preserve the health and safety for all of us in Madison.
Attached is a photo of Frances Street after the excellent work by City staff to power wash the area which was contaminated by urine, feces, drugs, food, and liquor.
Mayor Paul R. Soglin
City of Madison
210 MLK Jr. Blvd
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-4611
www.cityofmadison.com
mayor@cityofmadison.com