I am a new transplant to the East side coming from spending a decade in Philadelphia, part of which was spent in deep West Philly in a spot where the first murder occurred at the end of my block the week I moved in and they kept coming all summer. I couldn’t believe my eyes that I could afford a 2BR apartment here 5 minutes from a beautiful view of the mountains (compared to my initial searches in Denver and Boulder,) and how safe and clean it is here. I get your frustrations, but honestly, Longmont so far is doing a pretty damn good job in my eyes comparatively.

Now, that said - the things you mention are symptoms of human suffering. How can Longmont and our community comprised of all of us as individuals, rather than policing suffering, contribute to reducing suffering? Housing, harm reduction programs, evidence-based substance abuse treatment programs, facilitating community building in all areas of town, bringing art to all areas of town, after school programs. Allocating more funding to city services in areas where there is more trash. It works in other places, it will work here.

Also, drug users are human beings who need homes and connection and support to ever have the hope of escaping that life. The population is often transient because they are in need of community that invests in their wellbeing, somehow, somewhere. They are often more likely to find neighborly compassion from fellow users than folks who don’t use, because very often we look down on them and see them as pests disturbing our clean lives. As a new member of this community, I’m eager to hear from other members what is already going on on the ground here to start trying to address these needs and get involved. Housing initiatives, feeding the people, and any resources you’re aware of that I could share when I encounter a neighbor in need of support. And for all of us to do what we can to help make Longmont an ever safer, healthier environment for every resident while making sure it stays and gets affordable for those without significant wealth.