Houseless Update: St. Vincent de Paul Lawsuit Dismissed
From the City of The Dalles:
By Amie Ell
The Dalles, Ore., — The City of The Dalles and Saint Vincent de Paul (SVDP) have jointly agreed to the dismissal of the public nuisance lawsuit the City filed against SVDP in the fall of 2023.
The dismissal was due to the dramatic and sustained improvement in livability in the surrounding neighborhood, including a decrease in police calls and reduced nuisance activity. The dismissal of the lawsuit is “without prejudice”, which allows the City to refile the lawsuit should nuisance activities resume.
The City was compelled to file the lawsuit on September 11, 2023, due to ongoing nuisance conditions at the SVDP ministry located at West 3rd Street and Pentland Street. Repeated nuisance activity in the area linked to the ministry’s patrons exceeded the threshold defined by City’s code for a public nuisance and prompted City intervention.
On January 5, 2024, SVDP voluntarily closed its ministry, which resulted in substantial improvements in neighborhood conditions. Since reopening for limited services, the area has remained stable. Citizens are always encouraged to reach out to local law enforcement to report any issues for any areas within the city limits. For non-emergency concerns, The Dalles Police Department can be reached at (541) 296-2613.
“While we acknowledge the seriousness of the nuisance activities that led to the lawsuit and their significant impact on the area, conditions have greatly improved, which benefits the entire neighborhood”, said City Manager Matthew Klebes. “The City will continue to monitor activities surrounding SVDP to ensure past issues do not reoccur and further expects the City and SVDP to work cooperatively to address any future public safety concerns.”
The City appreciates the dedication of its staff and legal team in achieving this positive outcome and will continue working to maintain and enhance the community’s safety and well-being. Contact: Public Information Officer, Amie Ell amell@ci.the-dalles.or.us
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