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Back-And-Forth Between Mayor And Homeless Protester ContinuesJohn Martin III was arrested for failing to properly register as a sex offender but homeless protester refuses to leave downtown sidewalk. Anchorage mayor vows to continue fight to maintain public safety. Is this a battle of the wills or a deeper issue?Related Content
ANCHORAGE—The back-and-forth between Mayor Dan Sullivan and homeless protester and sex offender John Martin III continued Thursday night. Martin says the mayor needs to treat the homeless with more respect. Sullivan says his team is already doing that.
Sullivan says Martin’s sitting and lying down on a downtown sidewalk blocks public space and affects everyone's safety.
After the mayor proposed a “safe sidewalk ordinance” and Martin was arrested, many say Sullivan is too focused on Martin.
But the mayor says the debate over sidewalk use is larger than one man. Sullivan says it’s an issue of public safety. Sullivan says what John Martin is doing should not be allowed.
“People have tried to make some relationship between me as far as attitude or being irritated with him,” Sullivan said. “It is really a bigger issue than that. Whether it is John Martin or somebody else, do you get the right to co-opt a public space, whether it is a park, or you are camping or a public sidewalk? Of course, my feeling is no.”
But Martin, who has been protesting right next to City Hall, eight floors below the mayor's office, says he's there for one reason: to talk to him about the mistreatment of the city’s homeless population.
“Treating people as human, like just with decency and understanding,” Martin said. “I would sit down with him, point by point and try to help him understand the path that would work.”
But so far, it's a path that's produced an arrest and an attempt by the mayor to ban sitting or lying down on a downtown sidewalk—which some say shows Sullivan is targeting Martin.
“If he spent the amount of energy that he spent to try to remove me but divert that energy to try to come up with a solution for the homeless I think we could already have the problem solved,” Martin said.
Sullivan insists his only concern is about public safety.
“I got an email that was sent from a lady,” he said. “She stood there right next to him as he smoked marijuana with teenagers on that corner. So, people can’t tell me that this is a safe situation down there.”
Martin says he didn’t do anything wrong.
“Whatever I might do myself, I don't extend that to anybody who would be underage for sure,” he said. “I'm not looking for housing so I passed it on to somebody who might be able to use it.”
The city’s homeless coordinator Darrel Hess says there are others like Martin, who refuse to get help and turn down services. Hess says he’s talked with Martin four or five times last year.
When people don’t want help, Hess said, there's not much the city or social agencies can do.
“Brother Francis Shelter is not intended to be a permanent residence but if people choose to not go into Brother Francis, how can Catholic Social Services or the city or anybody make them go?” Hess said.
“If he isn’t willing to accept our help or listen to our programs, what is his motive then?” Sullivan said.
“Winter is coming and people need to be able to dig in and survive, so we need to reequip them with the gear that was taken and then establish some space where it’s okay to pitch their tents,” Martin said.
Hess admits there’s more than one solution to Anchorage's homeless problem but the Anchorage Coalition For Homelessness is working on a registry to correctly identify how many people need help.
Hess said that data would be used to get more people on their feet, including an effort to house the five most vulnerable people on the streets with complete move-in costs, furnishings and food.
In the meantime, Martin said he will continue his protest until the mayor talks to him.
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Pete said on Friday, Jul 29 at 12:01 PM
Keep up the GOOD Work Dan:It's time the "FREE RIDE" ENDS;
71509122Bob D. said on Friday, Jul 29 at 12:11 PM
Well now " larger than one man " Sullivan , how come it only took ONE man for you to start this effort ? Don't see where you've done anything about this in the past. Just wondering.
71509739usabarb4u said on Friday, Jul 29 at 1:00 PM
In my opinion, they homeless need a place. I've been to DC, they live in the Bushes along the walkways there! They live under over-passes, they live whereever they can get out of the elements of nature, but Sullivan depriving them of a space is unacceptable. They are human beings, each a different story, compassion goes along way in this world. Sullivan was born into a family with money and he lacks common sense and compassion for those whose lives have taken a turn for the worse. Not all homeless are alcoholics. I get at least 5 calls a week from mothers with children seeking shelter due to abusive relationships, loss of job, etc. Nothing to do with alcohol or drugs. So, Mr. Mayor, and it kills me to call him that, you need to stop insulting these human beings by telling them they need to clean up before meeting with you, this is puts the city in a liable situation. If I were an attorney, my client would be the homeless at this point. Slam dunk win in courts!
71512608akmomma said on Friday, Jul 29 at 1:06 PM
The mayor's handling of this situation has so far been shameful. He should be available to ALL his constituents, not just the ones with homes on the hillside. If he had sat with this man, had a cup of coffee, and listened to him early on, there would be no need for this charade to continue. This protester just wants to be heard.
71512909Citizen said on Friday, Jul 29 at 1:27 PM
@usabarb4u I hope you direct those mothers to shelters such as Clare House and AWAIC. The Brother Francis shelter would take the homeless women, provided they really aren't having issues with drugs as you say.
71513939nero said on Friday, Jul 29 at 2:19 PM
what does that evan mean?i sincerly doubt you "pete"have any real understandinfg of what your saying or trying to say.its exactly un educated ignorant slogan staements such as yours that make us all look stupid.its incredibley easy to using the most vulnerable members of our society as scapegoats and outlets for are own problems.ireally think"pete"its time for your to give up the free ride and learn to think foryourself and form yor own opinions ...joe galagher fairbanks...
71516279Keith said on Friday, Jul 29 at 2:40 PM
Read Barbara Ehrenreich's "Nickel and Dimed" and you may understand a little better why homelessness becomes an option for some people. Also, in order to gain a broader view of the "community" land issue that has emerged with regard to homeless camps, you should consider reading Richard L. Rubenstein's "The Age of Triage."
71517309Wes said on Friday, Jul 29 at 2:42 PM
I'm having a hard time deciding who is worse--Captain Zero or Dan Sullivan. Neither has any thought other than how to enrich themselves and their friends. Neither one cares about anyone who isn't rich and they don't hesitate to stomp on the poor. Couple of creeps if you ask me. I m not indigent, but neither of these punks is good enough to be welcome at my table. Let them both choke on their steaks while the cops tear down the shelters of the poor at their behest.
71517374shawn klemmer jr said on Friday, Jul 29 at 2:53 PM
This mayor is an absolute idiot, period. stop giving this "individual" credence. He's making him out to be a folk hero. We don't need the ordinance mayor. so back off!!! remember this mayor in the next election. we don't need a mayor like Sullivan. what a waste of time and money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
71517794wallyrus said on Friday, Jul 29 at 3:20 PM
"Man-up" Sullivan. Go talk to the guy even if you don't agree with or like him (I do neither). If he's got a good point figure out how to do it, if not, say so and move on. Grow beyond this or we will be ashamed of you and elect someone new. It's really pretty simple.
71518889yourallcrazy said on Saturday, Jul 30 at 1:40 PM
Except Pete! The "free ride" needs to end, all we're doing is enabling these (yes they're still people) to live in danger to themselves and that is their choice, but when it comes to the safety of the community that pays for the parks and our children to enjoy the parks safely that should be adressed. They want to continue to live outside give'em a fishing pole, sugar and yeast, and a one way ticket to a remote island.
71557789Mary M. said on Sunday, Jul 31 at 10:57 PM
"She stood there right next to him as he smoked marijuana with teenagers on that corner." Really? She didn't bother to notify authorities but instead stood there inhaling? And then sent an email to an Assembly Member? Give us a break; there is something wrong with this story.
71606602Mary M said on Monday, Aug 1 at 4:50 PM
I take back something I said in my last post. The writer of the email did call the police. I had to pause the video when it briefly showed the email document. Interestingly, it is from Pamela Dale--the assistant muni attorney??? This story gets more interesting by the moment.
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