Mutual Aid vs. Police Sweeps
It seems that is a current local dichotomy. Advocates for the unhoused keep trending younger and more diverse, while UNRPD is getting into the threatening signage business.
This sign above noticed by a reader and reshared on our social media befuddled many. UNR does own land west of McCarran Boulevard, near the Truckee River, which it has been trying to sell for years, but why is UNRPD getting into threatening sweeps? The opening of the Cares Campus has already been pushed back to mid-April so that information at the top of the sign is misleading. The new multi-tiered mega shelter is being presented as some sort of panacea (notice the exclamation point), but will it really be appealing to those struggling? If it turns out to feel too high barrier, and few people go, what then? Since when has criminalizing those without housing and forcing them into warehousing type “solutions” they weren’t a part of establishing ever worked?
It’s undeniable the mutual aid movement is growing here and elsewhere. In northern Nevada, it’s trending younger and more diverse as well. This week we showcased Rain Fernandez, whose range of beneficial outreach goes from promoting small, locally owned businesses in Sparks to providing strollers for those in need.
Our podcast this week is with Kelly, who left a motel voucher program to help take care of a homeless dog. You can also find our podcast by searching for Our Town Reno where you get your podcasts. Subscribe or follow to delve through our oral history archives of those struggling with housing and their neighbors helping them out, and hear these citizens in their own voices.
We are starting a new series of street photography where local photographers share a theme they are exploring, and give us their insights into how they view Reno. We started with our own Richard Bednarski here, explaining why and how he takes black and white photography for our Instagram #pedestriansofreno hashtag.
We have started to promote our April 13th 6-7 pm Zoom and Facebook Live community conversation. You will be able to join the event via Zoom here. You can also register interest via the Facebook event. Join us if you can. We will soon be crowdsourcing possible topics of discussion. Thank you for your concerns for our community and taking part in efforts to make it better.