Salt Lake Tribune · Aug 11, 2018
Commentary: The ‘leaf blower effect’ spreads the problems of homelessness
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A spent needle lies on the ground near 800 W. North Temple as members of the Utah Harm Reduction Coalition comb the neighborhood picking them up during a recent syringe exchange. The dispersal of people who are homeless from downtown because of Operation Rio Grande has made it harder for those who run the needle exchanges to find those who need them and vice versa. I don’t begrudge the residents and businesses near Rio Grande who have seen improvements to their neighborhood after years of complaining about the drugs, human waste and safety concerns caused by the large homeless population. We all deserve to feel safe in our communities.