LACROSSE, Wis. – The La Crosse City Councl voted 7-2 to ban camping on city grounds – a move to address problems at homeless encampments. On a related issue, to concentrate homeless people to Houska Park on the river failed 9-2. Council member Erin Goggin was especially adamant for the ban. Goggin described encampments as filthy and inhospitable. “We are allowing people to live in the marsh, along the river banks, and in another hidden places is not helping anyone. Goggin talked about “drug paraphernalia, excrement, unlicensed animals, random blight, parks, air conditioners, anything that can add to the horde and the criminal subculture.” Councilwoman Mac Kiel had doubts about the ban: “It worries me that we are going to drive them into more hazardous and more dangerous places.” Some Council members were urged caution, pointing to the possibility of a solution through a five-year plan being developed by the joint city-counct Pathway House project.
