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Mayor Sharon Tucker hosts public forum to discuss proposed 24-hour homeless shelter in downtown Fort Wayne

Mayor Sharon Tucker led a public forum at the Grand Wayne Center to discuss a proposal to convert a building on East Washington Boulevard into a 24-hour, low-barrier homeless shelter. The meeting drew a large crowd of residents who expressed varying opinions on the location and the impact on downtown businesses. While supporters like Rev. Angelo Mante argued that the site is already a hub for people seeking shelter, critics like Ric Runestad expressed concerns about the impact on the local economy and the potential for the center to become unmanaged. Pastor Joe Hoem noted that while the concept is supported, the proximity to an elementary school may be a less-ideal location. The administration announced that the city council will vote on funding for the project on Sept. 1. Meanwhile, the Fort Wayne City Council also recently voted to cancel its contract with Flock for automatic license plate readers due to public concerns regarding oversurveillance and technology misuse.

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