The homeless situation at the bottom of Spring St near the Wa Wa is a growing and real problem. I have been puzzled in recent weeks at the Fairfax City Police apparent apathy to the situation. The same vehicles and people are present every day. They are simply loitering around in the public areas with nothing to do. My business is located on Spring St. 1) In October of 2023 we had a homeless person sleeping under one of our service trucks. The staff arrives in the early morning hours when it is dark. We narrowly missed running this person over. 2) We have had three separate instances of people entering the building, yelling, threatening and intimidating others. 3) My tenants have expressed real concern and a desire to move, this really can have an effect on our business 4) Two of my office staff use public transportation. I have had to let them leave work early before dark because of their concerns with the homeless people near the public transportation points. Find good help is a real challenge and the availability of public transportation is important.

How did it take 11 months to create a board where the community can provide input on this matter? Do you know how moronic “public” meetings are when the public has no ability to participate in said meetings? You purposely keep these closed because you know the public strongly disagree with your ineffective solutions and you’re afraid to hear criticism. Despite the task force's establishment and the promises made, the situation on our streets has not improved. In fact, it seems to be deteriorating. The visible increase in homelessness and the lack of tangible solutions or interventions from the task force are deeply troubling. The community had high hopes for meaningful action and innovative solutions, but so far, these expectations have not been met. The lack of progress is particularly amazing given the fact that so many council members, City of Fairfax staff AND mayor are part of it. It's imperative to ask: What are the barriers preventing effective action? Why has there been such a significant disconnect between the task force's goals and the actual outcomes? Quite literally, the only tangible action was to place an eyesore of a portapotty–which costs the city a quarter million dollars– that no one uses onto the future low-income housing project parking lot. While y’all dilly dally and waste each other’s AND our time; my business and the surrounding businesses in the circle are continuously being affected by this issue. There has been 400+ phone calls weekly on average and a majority of those have to deal with people of “No Fixed Address”. I had a homeless man come in the other day right after he crossed the road from the Lamb center and urinate all over my wall and floor. I had a prostitute solicit sex and money from my guests and me personally in my parking lot. How much of this do you think I or any other business is going to take before saying enough is enough and moving out to better pastures? Do you know how frustrating it is to hear guest after guest that live right next to the circle say that they won’t patronize my establishment due to the perceived danger it is to their families due to the homelessness issue? While I understand the complexities of addressing homelessness, it's the task force's responsibility to overcome these challenges and make a tangible difference. It's not just about policy discussions or meetings; it's about real action and results that positively impact the lives of our community. Why not discuss what happens to all the people that are rejected by the Lamb Center? Or actually have FACETs move to the Lamb Center in the evenings when they’re closed instead of an active commercial parking lot? Quite frankly, I think the task force should be disbanded; currently, there would be no difference between having one and not having one. The community is watching and expects more than just discussions; we expect action.

There has been a large increase in the homeless in the area around Fairfax Circle. As a long time City resident, I have watched the homeless have moved into other parts of the city which used to be occupied only by the residents of the area. The business where I work has had an increase in panhandling, shoplifting and confrontations with those who do not have a permanent residence. By the time help arrives, the disturbing party has left the premises. Our business is also used for a warm shelter in the cold months. There are folks loitering around our vehicles which are parked in the back of the shopping center. As a tax paying resident of Fairfax City, the City Officials need to take action to improve the business environment so the citizens will not be afraid to enter my business.