Denver Businessman Takes Drastic Action Against Homeless Defecating In Public

As a city known for its progressive policies and compassionate approach to social issues, Denver has often prided itself on being a welcoming and inclusive place for all. However, in recent years, the city has been facing a growing problem that has caused frustration and concern for many of its citizens and business owners - the issue of homelessness.

While Mayor Mike Johnston has repeatedly stated that addressing homelessness is his number one priority, one Denver businessman has taken drastic action to protest what he sees as a lack of effective measures being taken to address the issue.

Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, a think tank in downtown Denver, recently dumped human poop that he found outside his business on the steps of the Denver City and County Building in an act of civil disobedience.

Jon Caldara on the steps of Denver’s City and County Building @CBS4

“This is a present from the homeless to the people who have kept this homeless problem going," he declared. Caldara says he's tired of the homeless using his private property as their public restroom and that at least twice a week security cameras catch a homeless person defecating outside his business. "We didn't cause the homeless problem in Denver but we have to clean up after it," he stated, highlighting the frustration felt by many business owners in the city.

Caldara has tried appealing to both the police and Mayor Johnston to no avail.

In his opinion, Caldara said, the solution to the issue of homelessness is not tiny homes, but rather jail cells. "This is a not an affordable housing crisis. This is a drug crisis, this is a mental health crisis, and this is a crisis of law. That these people who need help will never get help if they are not brought to jail where they are forced to get some help.”

While Caldara's actions may seem extreme to some, he is not alone in his frustration with the city's handling of the homelessness crisis. He urged other Denverites to join him in his protest by dropping off any human waste they may find in public places at city hall, in an act of civil disobedience to demand action from city leaders.

This incident occurred on the same day that city workers were moving members of a homeless encampment, offering taxpayer paid hotel housing options ahead of the move.

A spokesperson for Mayor Johnston released a statement saying, "Today's a big day... The city is hosting several town halls this week for community input on possible locations for Mayor Johnston's planned tiny home villages and city council is considering how to allocate more than $27 million for homeless initiatives."

However, for Caldara and others, these initiatives are simply not enough – or possibly too much of the wrong type. They believe that more needs to be done to address the root causes of homelessness, such as drug addiction, mental health issues, and the breakdown of law and order.

While the city may continue to push for affordable housing and offer temporary solutions, many are calling for a tougher approach that holds individuals accountable for their actions.

As the debate over how to effectively address homelessness in Denver continues, one thing is certain - the frustration and discontent felt by business owners, residents, and city leaders alike will not easily be ignored or swept under the rug.