I’m confused as to why the approach to the homeless problem in Middlebury would be to criminalize “homelessness” rather than enforce the current laws that are broken on a daily basis; public intoxication, assault, disorderly conduct, theft, etc.?

Many of these people have multiple encounters with law enforcement each week and nothing seems to happen.

Poverty, mental illness, and addiction should never be criminalized, but in order to have a functioning society, people who clearly and repeatedly violate the public good probably need to be incarcerated in some form to prevent further disruption.

Terry Eagan

Sudbury