On Tuesday, it was revealed that Idaho Gov. Brad Little and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden filed a lawsuit to stop the ongoing homeless tent protest near the Idaho Statehouse.
State officials have reported numerous reasons for the decision to file the suit including health and safety. There’s also been some significant damage, the state says.
A spokesperson with Little’s office specified to CBS2 on Wednesday exactly what kind of damage has occurred.
- Damage to ground around parking meters from an individual digging at the base
- Excessive debris outside of trash receptacle.
- Bushes trampled from people/animals using flowerbeds as toilets.
- Abandoned bicycles and bicycle trailers on property
- Crystallization at the base of a tree from urine.
- Urine stains on the West entry doors to the Capitol Annex.
- Known damage to a sprinkler line due to a tent stake. Tent stake is currently unable to be removed.
- Stains to sidewalks from feces (dog and/or human) as well as from vomit.
- Large areas of compacted turf, other areas where turf is only dirt/mud.
- Although not permanent, chalk writing on the Capitol Annex building and pillars.
“Idaho will not tolerate public encampments and destruction of public property,” the governor said. “Idaho is not San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle, where public officials have engaged in failed experiments to permit and encourage public camping disguised as protests.”
Homeless individuals have gathered on the state property located at Jefferson and 6th streets in Boise since mid-January. They have argued that officials and shelters are not doing enough to help the homeless community.
