GREENVILLE — Greenville Mayor Jeff Whitaker is addressing public questions regarding the recent removal of park benches from downtown Broadway, citing ongoing complaints from business owners, property owners, and visitors concerning behavior occurring in the city’s downtown district.
Whitaker said city officials had recently begun receiving renewed reports about individuals using the benches as long-term gathering places, creating concerns for businesses and residents.
“My office had begun, once again, to receive reports and complaints from downtown businesses and building owners, as well as from people frequenting our downtown area, pertaining to what is perceived as homeless people ‘taking up residence’ on the benches downtown, loitering near the entrances to businesses, intimidating and harassing people, and worse, publicly urinating against a few of the buildings,” Whitaker said.
According to the mayor, the city experienced similar concerns last year, and the latest complaints prompted officials to take action.
“After having dealt with many of the same complaints last year, these reports were enough to warrant the action we took in removing the park benches that have graced our city’s downtown area for over 25 years,” Whitaker said.
Whitaker emphasized that the city is committed to maintaining a welcoming and secure downtown environment for residents, visitors, and business owners.
“Unfortunately, we live in a different world now, where this type of behavior is tolerated in far too many of our urban areas. It won’t be permitted here,” Whitaker said. “Our downtown district is made up of businesspeople willing to make an investment in our community, deserving to be able to make a decent living for themselves and their families, and providing some jobs along the way.”
The mayor said city leaders have an obligation to ensure public spaces remain safe and accessible.
“We have a responsibility to provide our citizens with a safe, healthy environment, and the above-described behavior displayed by some is not conducive to any of this,” Whitaker said. “Rather than enabling bad behavior which threatens society, we must do all we can to fight it, and in a positive way.”
While discussing homelessness and addiction-related challenges, Whitaker pointed to local organizations that provide support services throughout the community.
“We have a tremendous number of organizations providing places to live for the homeless, food for the hungry, clothes for the needy, and help and assistance with those with addictions,” Whitaker said. “Those with drug addictions that choose to live life playing by their own rules unfortunately are very likely to experience severe mental health issues, which vastly leads to homelessness.”
Whitaker noted that long-term solutions to homelessness, addiction, and related social issues may ultimately depend on broader legal and policy changes.
“What we can do to totally solve these problems likely depends upon the legal system,” Whitaker said. “Fortunately, however, beside these organizations that provide help, a great many of our residents are very generous in offering donations and help.”
The mayor also praised local law enforcement for their ongoing efforts to address community concerns while assisting individuals in need.
“I am very aware that our law enforcement officers here are very cognizant of these issues in Greenville and throughout Darke County and make every effort to effectively offer help to anyone with any of these issues,” Whitaker said. “Our constant efforts are aimed at providing our citizens with a safe, wonderful place to live, work, and raise our families.”
The removal of the downtown benches has sparked discussion among residents, with city officials indicating the decision was made in response to repeated complaints about public safety and the overall downtown business environment.
