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Homeless shelters critique ‘problematic’ Covington proposal Julia Fair Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
Covington received some stern feedback from local and statewide organizations after it proposed strict regulations on homeless shelters. Four organizations sent long letters to city offi cials with critiques and advice on how the city should move forward with homeless shelter ordinances, according to letters obtained by The Enquirer. The letters characterized the drafted regulations as “unconstitutional,” “problematic” and “troubling,” among other analyses. In October, The Enquirer reported Covington offi cials crafted a draft document to regulate four homeless shelters that operate in the city. Mayor Joe Meyer insisted it was not a draft ordinance. Instead, he said, it was document that would see many revisions before any regulations made it into law. Homelessness is a regional issue that needs a regional solution, said Covington Communications Manager Dan Hassert. The only homeless shelters in Northern Kentucky are in Covington, and the city has called for the region to work together to share the cost of providing homeless shelters. “We sought that feedback for a reason. This is an ongoing process, and the City continues to amend and improve its proposed standards for care as offi cials weigh that feedback with the help of experts, advocates and safety agencies,” Hassert said in a statement. “Already, the dialogue has led to an array of changes to that initial draft and no doubt will lead to more. We’re in this together and are on the same side.” He added it is not the city’s intent to close the shelters, although that is what experts feared when they read the draft document. Here’s what organizations had to say:
Fairhaven Rescue Mission Fairhaven Rescue Mission is a faith-based shelter on Pike Street. It off ers emergency shelter and recovery programs, among other services. Executive Director Rev. David Hammers had concerns with almost every proposed regulation. Many would “put a hardship on staffi ng and cost,” Hammers wrote. When the shelter’s attorney read the document, the attorney said, “Are they wanting to close Fairhaven Rescue Mission?” according to Hammers’ letter dated
A person sleeps last winter at the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky in Covington. CARA OWSLEY/THE ENQUIRER
Oct. 10. The city wanted shelters to be responsible for damage caused by clients on properties located within two blocks of the facility. “What other business owners have this liability?” Hammers asked in his letter. The draft document also said shelters would have to reimburse the city for “excessive” public safety agency use. Hammers asked how they could “eff ectively help anyone” if they couldn’t call for assistance.
Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky The Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky off ers overnight shelter on Scott Boulevard. It housed 589 guests in winter 2017. Executive Director Kim Webb sent the city a letter Oct. 18 saying the restrictions would ban shelters from most, if not all of the northern section of the city.
Webb was referencing the location restriction regulation that would prohibit shelters from operating within 1,000 feet of public or private schools, universities, colleges, student housing, childcare facilities, public parks, businesses licensed for on- or off -site alcohol sales or parole/probation home or halfway houses, Webb agreed with the city’s restriction to not employ felons or sex off enders but added the shelter does not think it needs to be written in a regulation. Covington tried to brand itself as an inclusive community, she wrote, citing the “Ya’ll Means All” tagline, but “this ordinance appears to discriminate against agencies serving one class of people,” she wrote. See SHELTERS, Page 2A
Sheriff: Girl arrested after telling another she was putting her on 'list' Sarah Brookbank Cincinnati Enquirer USA TODAY NETWORK
A Cooper High School student has been charged with terroristic threatening after telling a classmate they were on her “list,” the Boone County Sheriff ’s Offi ce said Monday. On Monday around 4 p.m., the sheriff ’s offi ce re-
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ceived a report of a school shooting threat made by a student. Deputies said the 15-year-old was in class on Monday and while in a group with other students at school she said to another classmate, “You’re going to be on my list.” "The classmate then asked, 'what list,' to which the response was, 'my list for when I shoot up the school,' " deputies said.
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Deputies investigated the threat by interviewing the suspect at her residence. During the interview, the student admitted that she made the threat but said she was “joking,” according to deputies. The juvenile was taken into custody and charged with second-degree terroristic threatening, a felony. She was lodged at the Campbell County Juvenile Detention Center.
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