To: mayorsoffice@cob.org <mayorsoffice@cob.org>, ccmail@cob.org <ccmail@cob.org>, hestone@cob.org <hestone@cob.org>, hahuthman@cob.org <hahuthman@cob.org>, dchammill@cob.org <dchammill@cob.org>, ehwilliams@cob.org <ehwilliams@cob.org>, laanderson@cob.org <laanderson@cob.org>, mlilliquist@cob.org <mlilliquist@cob.org>, Council <council@co.whatcom.wa.us>, CFrazey@co.whatcom.wa.us <CFrazey@co.whatcom.wa.us>, kgallowa@co.whatcom.wa.us <kgallowa@co.whatcom.wa.us>, bbuchana@co.whatcom.wa.us <bbuchana@co.whatcom.wa.us>, tdonovan@co.whatcom.wa.us <tdonovan@co.whatcom.wa.us>, tbyrd@co.whatcom.wa.us <tbyrd@co.whatcom.wa.us>, kkershne@co.whatcom.wa.us <kkershne@co.whatcom.wa.us>, belenbaa@co.whatcom.wa.us <belenbaa@co.whatcom.wa.us>, DTanksle@co.whatcom.wa.us <DTanksle@co.whatcom.wa.us>, ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us <ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us>, jcotton@cob.org <jcotton@cob.org>
Subject: Raise Shelter Threshold & End Harmful Sweeps
Dear Whatcom County and Bellingham City Leaders,
I am writing to implore Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham governments to work together to raise the winter weather shelter operating threshold to 40°F, including wind chill, whichever is lower. I also urge you to end the counterproductive practice of sweeping homeless encampments during cold weather and to prioritize evidence-based solutions to address the fentanyl crisis. These interconnected issues require compassion, collaboration, and long-term planning—not punitive measures that worsen the challenges faced by our community.
The Risks of the Current Shelter Threshold
The current shelter threshold of 32°F does not account for the compounded dangers of wind chill and wet conditions, both of which significantly increase the risk of hypothermia. Medical research shows that hypothermia can set in at temperatures as high as 50°F under certain conditions:
• Wind Chill: At 40°F with a light 15 mph wind, the effective temperature feels like 32°F, creating life-threatening conditions for individuals exposed to the elements.
• Wet Conditions: Rain and damp clothing strip away the body’s ability to retain heat, making exposure at 40°F as dangerous as freezing temperatures.
Raising the threshold to 40°F, including wind chill, would save lives and reduce the health care costs associated with hypothermia treatment.
Harmful Encampment Sweeps: A Firsthand Account
Sweeping homeless encampments during cold weather months is not only cruel—it is ineffective. These sweeps scatter vulnerable individuals, disrupt critical outreach efforts, and do nothing to address the root causes of homelessness.
I witnessed this firsthand last Friday in Bellingham when Officer Claudia Murphy of the Bellingham Police Department spent hours driving through downtown, scattering every unhoused individual she encountered. I was downtown attempting to locate a disabled client in a wheelchair, but the chaos created by these sweeps made my task nearly impossible.
Every time I looked up, Officer Murphy was moving someone along, forcing individuals to leave their belongings and temporary shelters behind. The result was chaos: people scattered throughout the city, disoriented and without any idea of where to go. As I searched for my client, I saw firsthand the futility of this approach.
It took me nearly 2.5 hours and almost 8 miles of walking to find my client—just a block away from where we were originally supposed to meet. He had returned to his original location, exhausted, cold, and demoralized after being displaced during the sweep.
Watching Officer Murphy’s actions was heartbreaking. Her sole focus appeared to be clearing the streets, with no regard for the suffering and instability these actions caused. There was no attempt to address the fentanyl use I saw in the area, no engagement to connect individuals with services, and certainly no compassion. The message was clear: Move or else face criminal charges and/or arrest.
The Fentanyl Crisis: Punishment Is Not the Answer
The fentanyl crisis is another urgent issue that is being mishandled by relying on punitive measures. Sweeps and police interventions like the one I witnessed do not address the root causes of addiction and homelessness. Instead, they exacerbate the problem by scattering individuals, disrupting services, and failing to provide meaningful pathways to recovery.
• Rehabilitation: There is a glaring lack of accessible rehabilitation programs in our community. Individuals struggling with fentanyl addiction need comprehensive support, not harassment or displacement.
• Housing: Stable housing is a cornerstone of recovery, yet there are insufficient housing-first initiatives in place to help individuals transition off the streets. Without housing, it is nearly impossible for someone to focus on recovery or long-term stability.
• Costly and Ineffective Policing: The hours spent by Officer Murphy driving through downtown did nothing to address fentanyl use or homelessness. Taxpayer dollars were wasted on an approach that achieved no measurable progress.
Sweeps Undermine Nonprofit Efforts
Nonprofits and outreach organizations are doing incredible work to address homelessness and addiction, but their efforts are constantly disrupted by encampment sweeps. These organizations build trust with their clients over time, providing critical services like food, medical care, and housing assistance. Sweeps scatter these clients, making it nearly impossible for nonprofits to locate and support them.
For example, my client—disabled and in a wheelchair—was relying on me to help him access resources. After being displaced by the sweep, he was so fatigued and demoralized when I finally found him that it was difficult to move forward with the help he needed. Encampment sweeps create barriers to progress, making it harder for people to break the cycle of homelessness and addiction.
A Call for Compassionate Solutions
The current approach is not working. It is costly, ineffective, and inhumane. I urge our city and county government to take the following steps:
1. Raise the winter weather shelter operating threshold to 40°F or colder, wind chill or actual temperature, whichever is lower. This simple change would save lives during the harshest months.
2. End encampment sweeps. These sweeps are disruptive, expensive, and counterproductive. Instead, focus on stabilizing individuals so they can access long-term support.
3. Invest in rehabilitation and housing. Expand access to addiction treatment programs and implement housing-first initiatives to provide the foundation individuals need to rebuild their lives.
4. Collaborate with nonprofits. Support the organizations already working on the ground, and ensure their efforts are not undermined by city and county policies.
A Better Future for Our Community
What I saw last Friday was heartbreaking: unhoused individuals scattered, a disabled client struggling to survive, and valuable resources wasted on punitive measures that accomplished nothing. It’s time to try something different—something compassionate, effective, and rooted in evidence-based solutions.
Thank you for your attention to these urgent matters. Please feel free to contact me to discuss this further.
With Gratitude,
Tukayote Helianthus
