This ordinance does not eliminate medical need—it only pushes it into more dangerous and less visible places. When people cannot receive basic medical care where they already are, minor issues become emergencies, preventable deaths increase, and the burden on first responders and emergency rooms grows. Penalizing medical care in public spaces effectively criminalizes poverty and illness rather than addressing underlying needs.
Street Medicine Phoenix fills the gap left when our city and state fail to care for unhoused community members. Limiting our ability to provide medical care, food, clothing, and support would endanger those who rely on us. Our volunteers offer dignity, compassion, and essential services. I strongly oppose any plan that restricts this vital work.
As a co-lead with Street Medicine Phoenix, I see firsthand how simple, preventive medical care consistently produces safety by addressing crises before they escalate. Criminalizing care without offering practical alternatives only displaces people, increases policing costs, and pushes preventable suffering out of sight. Presence, continuity, and compassion save lives and money. Parks should be places where people are seen, not punished for needing care.
- Kaleab Afework, 2nd year Medical Student
I am worried about the impact this ordinance will have both for recipients of services provided at public parks as well as the general public. Harm reduction services are associated with lower ED utilization among recipients, allowing faster throughput and lower waiting times for all who need emergency services (sources: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2002.10663.x, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2025.05.049), which is beneficial to us all.
- Krish Nayar, 3rd year Medical Student
While well-intended, this ordinance will likely harm the community. ER's are overburdened; park-based medical care provides preventive services to high ER-using populations (e.g. homeless) and includes social navigation toward shelter. Maricopa leads the nation in heat-related deaths (50% homeless), reducing park services risks more deaths and ICU strain. Requiring city sponsorship will hinder physician-led programs (e.g. Street Medicine/Circle the City)
—Travis Seideman, Year 4 Medical Student
Access to medical care in public parks is important for a number of reasons. 50% of heat-related deaths in Maricopa County are among then unhoused (Source: Maricopa County Heat Deaths Report) and preventive medical care is vital to reduce burden on emergency services. Also, the unhoused often lack transportation for medical care, otherwise they would go get it.
-Tristan Carver, 2nd year medical student speaking in a personal capacity.
This ordinance does not eliminate medical need—it only pushes it into more dangerous and less visible places. When people cannot receive basic medical care where they already are, minor issues become emergencies, preventable deaths increase, and the burden on first responders and emergency rooms grows. Penalizing medical care in public spaces effectively criminalizes poverty and illness rather than addressing underlying needs.
Street Medicine Phoenix fills the gap left when our city and state fail to care for unhoused community members. Limiting our ability to provide medical care, food, clothing, and support would endanger those who rely on us. Our volunteers offer dignity, compassion, and essential services. I strongly oppose any plan that restricts this vital work.
As a co-lead with Street Medicine Phoenix, I see firsthand how simple, preventive medical care consistently produces safety by addressing crises before they escalate. Criminalizing care without offering practical alternatives only displaces people, increases policing costs, and pushes preventable suffering out of sight. Presence, continuity, and compassion save lives and money. Parks should be places where people are seen, not punished for needing care.
- Kaleab Afework, 2nd year Medical Student
I am worried about the impact this ordinance will have both for recipients of services provided at public parks as well as the general public. Harm reduction services are associated with lower ED utilization among recipients, allowing faster throughput and lower waiting times for all who need emergency services (sources: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2002.10663.x, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2025.05.049), which is beneficial to us all.
- Krish Nayar, 3rd year Medical Student
While well-intended, this ordinance will likely harm the community. ER's are overburdened; park-based medical care provides preventive services to high ER-using populations (e.g. homeless) and includes social navigation toward shelter. Maricopa leads the nation in heat-related deaths (50% homeless), reducing park services risks more deaths and ICU strain. Requiring city sponsorship will hinder physician-led programs (e.g. Street Medicine/Circle the City)
—Travis Seideman, Year 4 Medical Student
Access to medical care in public parks is important for a number of reasons. 50% of heat-related deaths in Maricopa County are among then unhoused (Source: Maricopa County Heat Deaths Report) and preventive medical care is vital to reduce burden on emergency services. Also, the unhoused often lack transportation for medical care, otherwise they would go get it.
-Tristan Carver, 2nd year medical student speaking in a personal capacity.
Volunteer led needle exchanges help protect our community. It's important that they are able to operate unimpeded.