Grants Pass, Oregon has been known as a beautiful, predominantly conservative small city in Southern Oregon. A place that has welcomed retirees escaping California’s ongoing meltdown, and really a place for people of all ages who appreciate the natural beauty of the region and proximity to the Rogue River, which runs through town.
The charms of the area were on full display at this year’s Boatnik celebration, an annual Memorial Day weekend event organized by The Active Club, a local nonprofit organization that contributes to the youth of Southern Oregon. Sponsors include the City of Grants Pass, Josephine County, and a number of local businesses. The event is know for its speed boat races and a really cool F-15 Eagle flyover, courtesy of the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing, based in Klamath Falls. The event honors fallen service members, and includes a wreath-laying on the Rogue River, a 21-gun salute, and the playing of “Taps” by a bagpiper.
Everyone who supports the Boatnik event should be proud!
But once this great event ended, the City of Grants Pass still finds itself facing a huge problem that must be dealt with: a “homeless”/drug addiction scourge that is threatening to destroy a city and community that so many have worked for so long to build.
Measure 110
It started when the People of deep blue Oregon voted in Measure 110, which–among other things–made Oregon the first state in the Union to decriminalize ALL drugs!
What an evil law! The voters were sold a “pie in the sky” solution that became a disaster. But truth be told, it didn’t take a brain surgeon to know what the law would do to Portland and the whole state.
But after the obvious chaos that resulted once Measure 110 was implemented, even far-Left Oregon was forced to roll back some of the law (though not nearly enough!).
Measure 110 and its after-effects have hurt Grants Pass badly. The city’s motto is “It’s The Climate”, and the sign greets everyone as they roll through town. Combined with the scenic nature of the area, the mild weather (relative to Northern Oregon) added to the attraction for those who seek the neo-hippy lifestyle of drugs and low-responsibility.
Grants Pass Attacked For Enforcing Its Laws
The City of Grants Pass attempted to quell the “urban camping” movement through local laws, but they were sued–on the grounds that their move to regulate overnight camping was somehow “cruel and unusual punishment” under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
In July 2020, the district court in Medford issued a ruling that Grants Pass’s ordinances were unconstitutional. This decision was upheld by the Ninth Circuit in September 2022, leading to a permanent injunction against the city’s enforcement of these ordinances.
The case finally reached the U.S. Supreme Court, but by that point, then-Mayor Sarah Bristol, was already caving–working with area nonprofits to making it as comfortable as possible for the “homeless” to essentially “take over” parks, which compromised safety and security, especially for children.
There has been a homeless shelter located in Grants Pass since 1983 (over FORTY years!) called the Grants Pass Gospel Rescue Mission, and its Executive Director is Brian Bouteller. Yet, many of the “homeless” population complains that they don’t want Christianity “forced down their throats” (residents are required to attend chapel services twice daily), and frankly, a large portion of this population wants to keep using drugs, which are not allowed at the rescue mission.
I’ve toured the Grants Pass Gospel Rescue Mission, and met some caring people there with a heart to help. They assist people in getting their lives together so that they can re-establish themselves in life with a much greater chance for success. If I were homeless, I would not hesitate to go to a place like the mission. It’s a shame that with a homeless problem as big as it is in Grants Pass, that the mission STILL has empty beds waiting for those that need them. And it’s a bigger shame that the courts haven’t recognized that there IS a viable solution in Grants Pass, just because that solution has a Christian orientation. There was a time when virtually ALL facilities that helped the homeless were run by churches or other Christian-oriented organizations.
Brian, the shelter’s E.D., posted a satirical, educational video during this period called “Bristol (named after the former Grants Pass mayor) and the Yard Invaders.” The video was definitely not politically correct, but it made a very interesting (and from what I have seen and will further discuss in this post–largely accurate) depiction of the homeless-drug abuse situation in the city, and though the video is over a year old, it still rings true as to the “kids glove” treatment area homeless troublemakers still seem to receive. After some blowback from those who were offended at the video, Brian and the Gospel Rescue Mission created a follow-up video explaining the original video.
Grants Pass WINS!
In 2024, once their case (fighting for their right to regulate overnight camping) was actually argued in the U.S. Supreme Court, the City of Grants Pass WON! That’s right, they WON. Remember that as you keep reading…
But–well before the Supreme Court’s ruling (in 2021) and perhaps sensing that their preferred outcome would ultimately not prevail–the Oregon legislature passed House Bill 3115— which said, “Any city or county law that regulates the acts of sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to the public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness.”
The phrase “objectively reasonable” is a joke, really, and appears to me to have been purposely inserted into this bill to virtually guarantee uncertainty in the courts as to what it actually means–meaning the need for state-approved judges to parse out the meaning. And perhaps predictably, local (Josephine County) judges have ruled in injunctions against the city recently that its efforts in dismantling homeless “camps” (that were approved by the previous Grants Pass City Council) and other actions violated H.B. 3115.
Now the City of Grants Pass is under pressure to conform to the instructions of the injunction to uphold H.B. 3115 and its nebulous language to provide “objectively reasonable” laws regarding “overnight camping.”
The City’s Response
Oddly for the new “enforcement first” Grants Pass Mayor and City Council, but also understandably given the political / legal pressure, “getting out from under the injunction” appears to be the primary driver for everything the City is now doing regarding the “homeless” situation. In practical terms, it means that the City is running scared of being sued if they don’t follow the law (in a way a judge would interpret), and is arguably prioritizing attempting to shake the injunction over the safety and security of its citizens!
I don’t state this lightly, nor am I happy to say it. City officials would vehemently deny it, but the visual reality speaks for itself–drugs, crime, and chaos are rampant in Grants Pass. The Mayor knows it, the City Manager knows it, the City Council knows it, every citizen with open eyes knows it, and any number of them have stated it with raw emotion during the “public comment” section of many a City Council meeting.
The City of Grants Pass recently hosted a “listening and learning” session regarding how to deal with HB 3115. While the session was helpful and much appreciated, NewsWatch 12 reported that the City is “looking to PORTLAND for guidance on the homeless response”! Yes, THAT Portland!
I hope Grants Pass doesn’t decide to look to the city of Bend for guidance too!
As you read all of this, keep in mind that I said earlier that the City of Grants Pass WON its lawsuit in the U.S. SUPREME COURT which affirmed their right to “regulate overnight camping.” But the STATE of Oregon is essentially claiming that it is THEY who have ultimate authority to dictate homeless policies in cities across the state of Oregon.
Dr. Robert Marbut, a homeless expert who has worked with three Presidential administrations, made a local presentation in April, providing a blueprint for conquering the homeless-drug addiction issue in Grants Pass based on successful programs in other places in the U.S. He urged the City of Grants Pass to stand on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in their favor, saying many other cities (over 100!) are using it to clean up the homeless situation! He offered to work with the Grants Pass City Council, but to my knowledge, other than conversations, he is not working with the City now in any official capacity.
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A DRUG ADDICT Issue!
There are two “homeless camps” in the middle of the city–in plain view of tourists or locals driving up 7th Street or down 6th Street (the main thoroughfares through town). These make-shift, unsightly camps have been erected to try to satisfy the injunctions, and appear to be inhabited primarily by drug-addicted individuals.
I’m not aware of any efforts the City of Grants Pass made to actually fight the injunctions.
Park Watch is a group of volunteer citizens who are against drugs in Grants Pass Parks, and have spent countless hours removing “mountains” of drug paraphernalia from the parks. Here’s a recent story about their protest of a judge’s restraining order against the City. Brock Spurgeon is a member, and also has a son who is drug addicted and living among other homeless drug addicts in town.
Brock recently appeared on a segment of Doctor Phil Primetime to discuss the issue.
To get an idea of the actual scope of the dangerous drug-related crap Park Watch has removed from Grants Pass parks, and to see testimonies from local citizens as to the horror of the current situation there, go to the Park Watch – GP Facebook group. It’s a private group, but it can be accessed by those of good faith who want to see the reality of the situation.
All of this speaks to the great lie that we just need to provide more housing and we’ll have no homeless problem! It sounds logical, but it is wrong because for the most part, we don’t have a homeless issue, we have primarily a DRUG ADDICT (who has no desire to quit) issue!
This recent short video from Matt Walsh underscores this point well. Of course, what he is saying here does not apply to ALL homeless people, but it clearly does apply to a high percentage.
Last week, Oregon House Republicans forced a vote on a bill that would repeal HB 3115 and its vague language which effectively prevents cities like Grants Pass from enacting common sense ordinances regulating homeless “camping.” The bill was defeated, 28 to 24, but SEVEN DEMOCRATS VOTED WITH REPUBLICANS FOR IT, which may signal a shift toward sanity. Watch Grants Pass area Oregon Rep. Dwayne Yunker speaking about why this bill needs to be repealed and replaced with HB 2432.
Citizen journalist Mike Jones has done a great job of keeping the local population informed about the homeless-drug crisis in Grants Pass. This week he released an interview with Rep. Yunker about the importance of this this state legislation.
If you live in the state or Oregon, please contact your House Representative and demand a vote on HB 2432!
Mike Jones also recently interviewed Grants Pass resident and political firebrand Mike Pelfrey about the disaster that is HB 3115 and “the commonsense solutions to the Grants Pass ‘Unhoused’ Problem.”
Mike Pelfrey also recently led a “Take Back Grants Pass” rally in front of the Josephine County courthouse. Many people have criticized Pelfrey for some of his past rude comments, which I do not believe are helpful to the situation (based on some of his recent comments it appears that Pelfrey himself agrees with that sentiment), yet the man is a Grants Pass homeowner who has been personally and negatively impacted by homeless policy, he is well-informed, articulate, and from my perspective, talks from a common-sense perspective as to how to best FIX the problem.
Pathways to Stability?
A new initiative to solve the homeless-drug chaos in Grants Pass has gathered interest and support from some of the leadership in the city. It’s called Pathways to Stability–a proposed central hub for homeless services (with reportedly seventeen nonprofits working together), and transitional housing for a maximum of 250 people, according to Jeremy Ford, one of the key organizers. Here’s an article about this proposed “solution.”
This sounds like a sincere and worthy project, and one that is unprecedented in Grants Pass. I wish them the best in bringing it to fruition. And while it could indeed be a huge help toward solving the “homeless-drug addict” mess in the city, it is not a complete solution.
The plan originally drew on the Built for Zero methodology, which is a “housing first” program that is reportedly being used in 100+ cities in the United States. It sounds like Pathways to Stability now understands that “housing first” is not as good as it sounds. If we don’t deal first with the behavior of those we seek to help, we’re facing an uphill battle.
This article offers some perspective on the Pathways to Stability plan, and a framework for a potential alternative or means to keep the well-intentioned plan from growing into a new problem.
Arresting and Sentencing
Much of public safety–which most would admit is sorely lacking in Grants Pass–comes down to arresting and sentencing.
The Grants Pass Chief of Police, Warren Hensman, comes across as a decent and dedicated public official, who, from what I can ascertain, is doing the best he can under extremely trying circumstances (being hamstrung by the state of Oregon). I have asked him for an interview, which he has declined, at least for now, while the city is under legal pressure. Would I recommend a more “tougher love” approach to dealing with this current crisis? Yes, but I am not walking in the Chief’s shoes either, and am not privy to all he knows. I wish Chief Hensman and his officers the very best. We should all support them in their positive efforts.
Josephine County District Attorney Josh Eastman is in charge of sentencing. I do not see much online about him, except for a short interview when he was first appointed in 2019 (by Kate Brown, the Democrat Governor at the time). I don’t know much about DA Eastman’s political or crime-fighting philosophy, though I’d like to know more. I do hear talk about a supposed “revolving door” policy in regards to drug crimes in the area, but I don’t know more than that. I’d like to know more, and would like to interview DA Eastman. Of course I wish him and his team the best in bringing public safety to Josephine County.
I have also heard that Josephine County (with pressure coming down from the state of Oregon) favors diversion programs rather than prison for many drug offenders.
I asked a question on X’s “Grok” (AI) in regards to this issue, and got this:
“Regarding drug offenders, the District Attorney’s Office [of Josephine County] supports diversion for qualifying individuals through the Drug Court program, which aligns with the broader mission of Josephine County Community Corrections to reduce recidivism via treatment and supervision. The county’s Substance Abuse Program, a state-licensed outpatient treatment provider, further supports this by offering assessments, relapse prevention, and DUII rehabilitation, emphasizing a holistic approach to chemical dependency as a disease requiring intervention. This suggests a tendency to favor diversion for non-violent drug offenders with limited criminal history, focusing on rehabilitation over incarceration when public safety allows.
This approach is consistent with Oregon state policies that encourage diversion and treatment for non-violent drug offenders. For example, Oregon’s Proposition 36 (similar to California’s, as noted in broader drug diversion discussions) allows drug offenders to enter treatment programs instead of jail, with the possibility of charge dismissal upon completion. While not directly referenced for Josephine County, this reflects a state-level trend toward diversion, particularly for first-time or low-level offenders, as seen in programs like California’s PC 1000 and Prop 36. Oregon’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative also supports local programs like Drug Court to reduce incarceration and promote community-based treatment, though specific implementation varies by county.”
This is all very interesting, and has to make one wonder about the effectiveness of these policies. The chaos on the streets of Grants Pass suggest something is amiss!
I have heard people say that they thanked God they went to prison because it saved their life. In prison, it’s obviously much harder to get drugs (at least in many or hopefully most prisons!), and they are essentially forced to dry out.
I found a seven-year-old video about an in-prison drug program (which offered or offers NO reduced sentencing) that inmates loved! I hope that there are many programs like this in prisons all over America. Does Oregon have programs like this? It should!
Conclusion: Clarity and Courage
It is easy to be nice. To say the “right” things. To not offend people. To hold back on saying what needs to be said. But playing it safe is exactly the wrong strategy for reasserting control over one’s city. What has gone wrong will not only continue to go wrong, it will grow, as evil always grows when it is not confronted.
Should decent people care about the unfortunate among them? Yes, of course. But should those same people allow the wanton self-destruction of a group of drug-addicted individuals Hell-bent on destroying everything around them too? Obviously not.
The troublemakers need to be separated from those who want help–it’s that simple. Everyone can’t be treated in the same manner. Some need treatment. But honestly… some need incarceration. The state of Oregon’s preference for treatment may be rooted in good intentions, but as pointed out earlier, some–perhaps the majority–may have a greater chance of getting clean by having to “dry out” (and get help) in prison.
“Nice” people don’t like to say things like this. It seems somehow harsh. But drug-addicted people with no desire to change have become like a cancer that–if not “arrested”–will end up wiping out the whole “body” (the City of Grants Pass, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, and many other cities on the West Coast of the U.S.).
The “problem” people will not–for the most part–clean up their own act. History shows that.
It is up to the stakeholders–starting with the People–to demand that city, county, state, and federal government officials honor their stated commitment to guard the safety and security of ALL citizens.
We ALL ignore our sacred responsibilities at our own peril.
Patrick Rooney is the Founder of OldSchoolUs.com. He promotes natural health, success, and freedom during chaotic times.
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For what it is worth, I was on the grand Jury a while back. From what I could see the District Attorney Josh Eastman wants to do the right thing. He was opposed to measure 110 which legalized all drugs. He thinks addicts need a “carrot and a stick”. He also believes Josephine County Drug Court is very successful.
Thank you, Ted. As I said, I don’t know much about Mr. Eastman. I would be glad to hear that his heart is in the right place. In that case, I hope his actions are living up to his heart!