Clark County considers fencing-off its public campus, citing rise in property crimes

By Troy Brynelson (OPB)
April 13, 2023 12 p.m. Updated: April 14, 2023 7:39 p.m.

The idea found mixed reviews among elected leaders, who split on whether a fence would be a wise use of public funds.

Clark County officials are considering spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to build a fence around their public campus near downtown Vancouver.

The idea comes after an apparent rise in costly property crimes near the campus, according to county staff. But it found mixed reviews among elected leaders, who split on whether a fence would be a wise use of public funds.

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The county’s brick-laid grounds are where many come for any number of public needs, like casting a ballot, registering a vehicle or applying for a marriage license. It’s also a place where unhoused people congregate during the day and sometimes sleep.

County Manager Kathleen Otto recently described to the County Council that the campus is seeing an uptick in crime.

“There are some crimes we’re seeing, people using drugs, setting fires, breaking windows within our parking garage and also out front,” Otto told the councilors at a county meeting earlier this month. “Staff have brought up that they are nervous, they don’t feel safe.”

The idea of fencing-off public property is tricky for cities, counties and states grappling with homelessness. Like ordinances against public camping, it can be a political tightrope between keeping some people safe or comfortable while not penalizing others for not having a home.

County leaders did not present specific crime statistics at the meeting. OPB requested more information about the events and whether staff have filed reports but did not receive an answer by publication.

Deputy County Manager Amber Emery told councilors she has been collecting data on property crimes occurring at the campus since last June. She said public fleet vehicles parked there have fallen prey to catalytic converter thieves and people siphoning gas. Emery also reported that electric vehicle charging stations — which can cost between $15,000 and $50,000 — have been stolen.

Trash, litter and “bio-hazards” have amassed, Emery added, left to be cleaned up by staff with the county’s parks and facilities departments.

The proposed fence would line a perimeter around the public buildings and parking garages there. It would encompass much, but not all, of the campus. The campus is located south of Mill Plain Boulevard and between Franklin Street and Kauffman Avenue.

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As county officials laid out a case for a physical barrier, they said gates would be kept open during the day to keep it accessible for the public.

“The county campus is a significant concern for our employees and the welfare of the public that has business down here on a daily basis,” said Clark County Sheriff’s Office Cmdr. Todd Barsness.

The most visible presence is a six-story office building, which houses many county departments and handles much of the day-to-day public service. But the campus is also shared by an elections office, a parking garage, a satellite office for the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab and the office of the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency that handles services like 911 dispatch.

It was unclear in the April 5 meeting if there was enough support for the move.

Councilors Karen Bowerman and Gary Medvigy both gave approving feedback, while councilors Glen Yung and Sue Marshall said they had questions that need answers.

“We’re not criminalizing homelessness, but there are crimes being committed,” Medvigy said. He decried public drug use and people starting fires that burn property.

Medvigy said he favored stricter laws over a fence, but ultimately supported the barrier.

“I don’t think the answer is to fence off the homeless people. What we need to do is enforce existing laws. That’s really what my focus would be,” he said.

Yung, however, argued that many would view a fence as unsympathetic. He said the county should spend money on building more shelters. He pointed to prominent court rulings that say a community only has the legal power to prohibit activities like public camping if it has an adequate number of shelter beds.

“If we have enough shelter available, this is a moot problem,” he said. “We need to really start talking about shelter space in our county and increasing it.”

County councilors didn’t make a decision in the meeting. The council is expected to discuss the fencing proposal again at a later meeting.

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the date when the Clark County Council will discuss fencing its campus. The proposal is not yet on a meeting agenda.

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