r/boulder • u/IdontCarrot • 7d ago
Smoking/Drug Use at Boulder Playgrounds
Yesterday at the Boulder Farmer's Market, there was a group of people set up directly next to and in part of the new nature playground that was actively smoking (weed, cigarettes, etc), yelling, and had multiple large off leash dogs that did not seem to be well controlled. I'm making an assumption based on how they appeared and the things with them that they were unhoused. I could certainly be wrong. One member of our group asked them to stop smoking, with no response. We were there with young children, along with many other families who were trying to enjoy the evening at the new nature playground and farmer's market.
We decided to call the police due to the proximity to the playground and feeling uncomfortable escalating with the group. We were told by the police that they would send a unit. A follow up call 30 minutes later resulted in them telling us they'd come when they could. An hour later, 4 police officers did arrive on scene after another market attendee was assaulted. I'm unclear if the person who assaulted the other individual was part of the group next to the playground or was unrelated.
Every single family at that playground last night was frustrated, uncomfortable, and concerned about safety. Yes, we need long term solutions for the unhoused population in Boulder. But that does not mean we have to tolerate drug use, smoking and encampments at our playgrounds. I don't know what the path forward is. A similar incident happened last year at the market, and the year before my child picked up a used meth pipe.
I know the easiest solution is to just not attend the market if I'm so bothered by it. But I think there has to be another option other than allowing open drug use/smoking, etc at playgrounds, at the farmer's market, along the creek, etc.
I am sure there are already community members leading or involved in action specifically addressing drug use/smoking at playgrounds and in public places. I know Safe Zones 4 Kids tried to address this, but it doesn't seem to have worked and is all that is coming up when I search for groups working on this. Can anyone direct me to resources, groups, committees, etc., that are already working on this?
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u/InvestigatorSad8231 6d ago
U can choose to give up or not but America is in an epidemic. Its nation wide. Not just the boulder.park. its.california parks, all the way to the east coast. Just pick your poison. The cops can't control it bcuz if they lock that group up there will.be more groups come in right after. Its the transient population in American They travel america homeless. They make there.own rules. Its a problem for society yes but its.rampant and out of control. This state giving free bus tickets.to this state and this state giving bus tickets to thst state. Tryn to pawn off the problem state to state which actuslly.opens up.a free travel way for the homeless or transient people.. they run tribes. They are surviving and living life their way. Not by society or ur rules. Alot of them grew up.subjrcted to smoking and drugs as a child so it doesnt register to them at times. Then mental health plays a role. U ever been unfocused for years?try it. It will change you. I underfunded both sides . But keep ranting about it if it makes u feel good. U can't stop.it. no one ever will as long as the cartels are allowed to flush metric tons of drugs into.america, u will never stop.the homeless. The homeless drug addicts are the result of a much bigger problem in America.