Your weekend, simplified: Oct. 5, 2024

Happy Friday! Megan here.

This week, I've got a not-so-simplified story for you because, frankly, some stories just aren't simple. I've been thinking a lot about how to talk about the city's approach to homelessness, panhandling and so-called "nuisance behaviors" downtown, and my big takeaway is we have to talk about these things as separate entities. Not everyone who's unhoused is panhandling or acting disorderly, and those who are panhandling have a constitutional right to do so. Not everyone acting disorderly is unhoused, etc., etc.

Anyway, I'm trying to tease all of that out as best I can for you. But, on the fun side of things, you'll get to meet local writer and filmmaker Brian Bieber, who sat down to chat about his new film premiering next weekend.

And now, news:

CITY

The not-so-simple dilemma of panhandling, homelessness and 'nuisances' downtown

Simplified: As the City of Sioux Falls gives police more authority in interacting with the unhoused population, Police Chief Jon Thum admits homelessness is not something that can ever be solved by law enforcement.

Thum, as well as other city officials and experts, chatted with Sioux Falls Simplified about the challenge of balancing – as the chief put it – "compassion and accountability" in handling "nuisance behaviors" downtown, especially when those behaviors intersect with homelessness.

Photo by Nick Fewings / Unsplash

Why it matters

City Councilors recently approved two ordinances that give police a stronger leg to stand on in asking people blocking sidewalks or roadways to “move along” downtown or to remove them from libraries if they’re drinking or have booze on them.
Experts at the national homelessness law center say they see these changes as a red flag and, potentially, a step in the wrong direction in terms of criminalizing homelessness.
But Thum said it’s not about criminalizing homelessness, it’s about holding people accountable for their behaviors. He said it’s not OK to, for example, pass out on the sidewalk blocking pedestrian traffic or drunkenly yell at a worker at a downtown business.
- He also said the disorderly conduct changes will give police more latitude to respond to the specific situations they encounter.

“Even the ‘please move along,’ – that just gives us more authority to exercise that judgment,” Thum told Sioux Falls Simplified after the council approved the first reading of the disorderly conduct ordinance changes.

Tell me more

With all of these conversations, there’s the underlying complex reality that every person experiencing homelessness has a unique set of circumstances, needs and challenges they’re facing. The vast majority of people experiencing homelessness are not the same people causing so-called “nuisance behaviors.”

Homelessness Coordinator Michelle Treasure said it’s a very “sensitive and controversial topic.” In city discussions, she said she’s focusing on the intentions behind the messages people are sending.

“Are the intentions that Mayor Paul (TenHaken) wants to drive all homeless individuals out of Sioux Falls, absolutely not,” Treasure said. “I know that about him. I know that about Chief Thum. … This is all stuff that just has to be managed as being elected officials.”

What’s the reality of homelessness in Sioux Falls?

GET SMART

Get smart about scary movies with Brian Bieber

Brian Bieber is a Sioux Falls writer, director and filmmaker. He chatted with Sioux Falls Simplified about the upcoming movie premiere for his new short horror film, "The Events of That Night As Best I Can Remember," starring Minneapolis artist Dessa.

Let's start with a little bit of your background. How did you "get smart" about writing/directing/filmmaking?

Well, I suppose I started getting smart about writing in college, where I majored in creative nonfiction writing.

While I’ve always loved film, I became much more interested in making it myself during my years working at an ad agency.
Working on commercial projects I was able to collaborate with extremely talented filmmakers like Joe Hubers, Dalton Coffey, Doug Lee, and Wes Eisenhauer. I learned a lot just by watching them and pestering them with questions during shoots. Meanwhile, I was teaching myself to edit video as a hobby.

After a few years of making documentary projects, I decided I wanted to try my hand at narrative filmmaking. So was I actually prepared for the opportunity? Maybe less “prepared” than “naively ambitious.”

We're all about simplicity here. Can you summarize "The Events of That Night..." in 10 words or fewer? (and using the full title is a cop-out)

A non-linear, graduate-level UFO abduction story.

See the full interview here

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

DTSF, Inc. leader resigns. Joe Batcheller on Thursday announced his resignation from Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. after nearly a decade leading the organization. His last day is Dec. 20. Vice President Brandon Hanson will act as president in the interim while the board of directors figures out what's next.
Mmm, that pork has chops. Crawfords won the Fourth Annual Downtown Pork Showdown in September with a bourbon apple pork dish. Second place was Mirabella Ristorante with pork osso buco, and Chef Lance took third place with a southern fried pork chop. Overall, more than 1,300 votes were cast, 6,300 pork dishes were sold, and the estimated economic impact was more than $240,000.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

Support Sioux Falls Simplified

Here are a few ways to ensure this smarter, easier local news outlet is here to stay:

Forward this to a friend. Sharing is caring, and the best gifts are the ones that make your life easier – like this smarter, easier local news.
Become a member. Consider buying into a smarter Sioux Falls by becoming a member and offering financial support to the no B.S. journalism you've been reading here.
Give a one-time gift. Not ready to commit to a membership? That's OK! If you want to help in a smaller way, you can give a one-time gift here.
Advertise with us. Tell the "simplified" story of your business to your target audience. Want more info? Reach out to megan@sfsimplified.com.

Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

Oh, by the way

Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️