Idaho State Police arrest 4 at Capitol Mall, seize sleeping bags and propane tanks
Idaho State Police arrested four people — including one of the event’s organizers — issued eight warnings and seized possessions early Friday after visiting the Idaho Capitol Mall, where homeless protesters and their supporters have been demonstrating for weeks.
Yolanda Pullman, a 51-year-old event organizer, was one of four people arrested by Idaho State Police on Friday. Pullman was arrested for failing to appear in court on previous charges of possession of marijuana and use or possession with intent to use.
Additionally, a 39-year-old Boise man and a 19-year-old Boise man were arrested on outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court on previous drug or disorderly conduct charges, according to the news release from state police. A fourth Boise man, whose age was not disclosed, was turned over to the Idaho Department of Correction’s probation and parole office.
State police said in a Friday news release they visited the site — on West Jefferson Street between 5th and 6th streets — to check for prohibited items and “check on the welfare of those on site.”
Items seized by police included sleeping bags, pillows and propane tanks. Along with camping-related items, troopers found and seized alcohol and drug paraphernalia, including a pipe and a bag of syringes.
The release said the camping-related items can be claimed, and information on how to claim them was left at the Capitol Mall. The illegal paraphernalia will not be returned.
The location is state property and subject to Idaho law, according to the release. Under Idaho state law, “no person shall camp on or in any state-owned or leased property or facility including, but not limited to, the Capitol Mall, except those that are designated as a recreational camping ground, area or facility.”
Idaho Legal Aid says state police violated constitutional rights
Idaho Legal Aid has pushed back against Idaho State Police and said people are allowed to protest in tents — even overnight — on the state-owned property. A court ruling after the Occupy Boise movement in 2011 concluded that people are allowed to demonstrate in tents but cannot camp there or bring items that indicate camping.
In January, Idaho Legal Aid issued a press release that said the group believes Idaho State Police has violated protesters’ First Amendment right to engage in protest activities and Eighth Amendment right to sleep on public property when no shelter is available. A 2019 court ruled that people experiencing homelessness cannot be cited or arrested for sleeping outdoors on public property if there isn’t available shelter space.
According to the release, state troopers said the grass and landscaping were damaged from the continued use. Troopers said a large amount of garbage, food waste, feces and cups of what seemed to be urine were able found on the site. Troopers have continually asked individuals present if they need available shelter or other services, but have been declined, according to the news release.
On Jan. 24, police arrested protester Ty Werenka, 28, on suspicion of obstruction and delaying officers. He repeatedly put himself in a position to obstruct the removal of “unclaimed prohibited property,” according to police. Werenka posted his $300 bail on the same day, and is expected to appear in court on Feb. 14.
“They believe we are dirty, filthy POS-es and that we’re all bums, drug addicts and alcoholics,” Pullman, who helped organize the protests, told the Statesman previously. “I don’t look dirty, I’m not garbage, I’m not second rate. I’m a person, too.”
Boise homeless shelters struggle with capacity
Before taking action this morning, Idaho State Police said it confirmed there were beds available at local shelters. Spokesperson Lynn Hightower was unable to immediately clarify the shelters police checked with.
Interfaith Sanctuary Executive Director Jodi Peterson-Stigers told the Statesman by phone the shelter has no bed availability and is operating over capacity when it comes to COVID-19 protocols.
“Every night we have to decide, is it worse to get omicron or is it worse to freeze to death?” Peterson-Stigers said.
Interfaith Sanctuary, which has been fighting to secure a larger space and ran out of shelter space for the first time in January, is still experiencing that overflow, Peterson-Stigers said. Peterson-Stigers said Interfaith is using a heated tent for men and a portable classroom for women.
Other than Interfaith, Boise Rescue Mission Ministries, which has five local shelters, is the only other organization with emergency overnight shelter beds in the Treasure Valley. As of Friday, the ministry had availability at its emergency shelters — River of Life Rescue Mission and City Light Home for Women and Children — Cynthia Andrews, a rescue mission employee, told the Statesman by phone.
In January, Interfaith reached out to Boise Rescue Mission, a Christian nonprofit organization, for help with the overflow, the Statesman previously reported.
One key difference between the two shelters is the qualifications guests must meet to stay. Interfaith is considered a low-barrier shelter, meaning it has few qualifications. As long as guests do not steal, act violently or damage property, they can stay at Interfaith.
The Rescue Mission is a high-barrier shelter. Rules include “no drugs (or) alcohol, no foul language, no threats,” Boise Rescue Mission Ministries President Bill Roscoe told the Statesman previously. Guests are expected to remain drug-free and sober during their stays.
They must also follow habits laid out by the shelter such as eating meals with the organization, changing clothes at night and turning the lights out at a certain time.
Idaho Legal Aid Services statewide attorney Martin C. Hendrickson previously told the Statesman that he does not believe Rescue Mission counts as an available shelter space because some homeless individuals do not qualify to stay there or have religious objections to staying there.
“We are full every night,” Peterson-Stigers said. “And then we are moving people onto the floor, and into the tents and into the portable to help accommodate the need.”
This story was originally published February 4, 2022 at 3:47 PM.
