Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Downtown Madison belongs to all the people of Madison and our visitors. It represents $100s of
millions in public investment not to mention the private commitments.
In the coming weeks I am going to use all of the administrative solutions available to me to force the
dangerous behavior to stop. I know that in defense of the homeless, some will consider these
measures draconian, but enough is enough. The combination of City and County policies that
encourage drifters to come to Madison, and the concerted efforts of others to send them here has
reached an intolerable level.
The following measures will be taken:
1. All illegal outdoor living and encampments will be stopped, and individuals who wish to live out
doors will be given an opportunity to go the City County Building or shelters.
2. Madison Police will be in touch with shelters to make sure there is available space as they force
drifters out of unsanitary public spaces.
3. We will request that all services that provide free food only do so at the City County building. If that
is not heeded I will request adoption of an ordinance to give us greater control we will not ban free
food, we will control where it is distributed for health and sanitary reasons.
4. I have asked the City Attorney to research legislation to designate all of State Street and the
Capital Square a public park. That will give us greater control of behavior.
5. I will request adoption of an ordinance that limits occupation of public benches to one hour they
are to be shared and used by everyone.
6. The health department will patrol the area and assist in citing those who are drug users
endangering all by their careless use of needles.
We are losing control of our city because of the overly indulgent behaviors tolerated at the City County
Building. Because of those behaviors, the situation is spreading to a wider area. While I have little
influence on those who manage and control the City County Building I will not abdicate my
responsibility and will use the resources available to the city of Madison to bring safety and sanity
back to our downtown. I encourage all Madisonians who agree with me, to contact their City and
County representatives on the Council and County Board and indicate their support.
Again, my apologies, to my co-workers who also have offices at the City County Building and to the
public that uses the building. My efforts to bring some sense of safety have failed. Nevertheless, while
the situation deteriorates there, I am not going to stop trying to preserve the health and safety for all
of us in Madison.
Attached is a photo of Frances Street after the excellent work by City staff to power wash the area
which was contaminated by urine, feces, drugs, food, and liquor.
Mayor Paul R. Soglin
City of Madison
210 MLK Jr. Blvd
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-4611
www.cityofmadison.com
mayor@cityofmadison.com