Governor Cox Vows to Prevent Salt Lake City from Becoming Another San Francisco



SALT LAKE CITY — Governor Spencer Cox voiced his support on Thursday for the eradication of unsanctioned camping as part of joint efforts by state and city officials to combat homelessness in Salt Lake City.


In a clear and resolute statement, Cox asserted, "I refuse to let Salt Lake City turn into San Francisco or Portland," during his monthly news conference, alluding to the homeless crises experienced in those respective cities. He further emphasized, "We will not allow that to happen in our capital city."


Cox's declaration follows the recent announcement, just one week prior, by state and Salt Lake City authorities regarding the downtown location of a temporary shelter community aimed at aiding individuals experiencing homelessness.


Advocates and policymakers have long deliberated over potential solutions to address homelessness, with proponents of sanctioned camping advocating for short-term interventions.


Reflecting on the gravity of the issue, the statistics present a compelling case. State figures reveal that between 2020 and 2022, there was a 27% increase in the number of Utahns experiencing homelessness for the first time, underscoring the pressing need for effective measures to address this growing challenge.