Otherwise Nice?

I couldn’t agree more with Michele Walter’s letter entitled “Downgrading Rape” (EW, Aug. 16). Riding bicycles in Eugene does feel dangerous due to the incredible amount of transients that loiter or live along the paths. I particularly worry about being knocked over and robbed.

The amount of homeless, vagrant, drug and/or mentally disturbed individuals in this town is out of control. The library is beautiful, but my wife won’t take our children there, as it is an acknowledged “daytime homeless shelter” and it frightens her in more ways than one. Hand sanitizer only goes so far.

I have written to the City Council and mayor asking when they are going to make public “camping” and panhandling illegal, but have never gotten a response. This problem is of epic proportions and completely ruins this otherwise nice small city.

David Campbell

Eugene