Don’t allow camping free-for-all in city

The article in Thursday’s Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette by Stacy Ryburn regarding homeless camping on Richard Tiffany’s property next to the National Cemetery actually exposes several issues.

I have personally experienced the activities on that property since my parents’ gravesite is on that side of the cemetery. I visit their grave on holidays and monthly. Last Memorial Day my meditations and visit were severely curtailed when the party there erupted into profanity and abusive language. The drunken voices were both male and female. While that was the worst of many experiences, I now have my husband or son accompany me since I have no way to gauge the atmosphere or safety of the location.

When Wreaths Across America collected the

Christmas wreaths placed to honor our veterans, the garbage at this privately owned lot overflowed from the front yard to the street. Volunteers using the sidewalk had to pick their way around the discarded items, trash and abandoned vehicles.

Please understand, I recognize the challenges that face our citizens in securing affordable shelter. However, allowing any willing property owner to turn private property into campgrounds is not the answer. It is impossible to police such areas en masse and the community is detrimentally affected. Looking at the number of police interactions and code violation citations, Mr. Tiffany certainly does not monitor his guests and he is well aware of the statutes he is violating.

So, certainly do not change the codes but do address Mr. Tiffany’s violations while creating a solution to the housing of individuals needing shelter.

MICHELE ABERNATHY

Fayetteville