Madison’s mayor is raising concerns about unsafe conditions in some city facilities, which he says are the result of several homeless people spending their days in the lobbies and halls of city office buildings.
Mayor Paul Soglin says there continues to be a problem with the homeless people using the City County and Madison Municipal buildings as shelters. The problem has increased this winter with the usual locations, the basement of the state Capitol building and downtown public library, closed to the public.
Soglin says many of the individuals have been found to be highly intoxicated and threatening to those working there. There have also been reports of people sleeping on benches and relieving themselves in public areas.
AUDIO: Mayor Paul Soglin (:09)
Soglin sent an e-mail to all city employees this week, saying it’s a high priority to halt unsafe or unpleasant conditions in city buildings. He’s asking employees to stop encouraging the practice by bringing in food or blankets.
John Colbert, WIBA