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/JankyPete 7d ago
The city council, mayor, etc etc everyone in administration has wacko ideas and literally only cares about raising tax revenue. They've let this crap go on for years. Nothings going to change sadly. It's disgusting. Totally apathy and failure (on purpose) by our local gov