SALT LAKE CITY — Jason Wessel says many west-side residents are "supportive" of Salt Lake City's new efforts seeking to combat longstanding issues along the Jordan River Parkway trail.

The city announced late Monday that it closed off a section of the popular trail from about 400 North to 700 North over "environmental degradation, infrastructure challenges and persistent public safety concerns." The temporary closure could last "several months."

However, Wessel, a longtime Rose Park resident and vice president of the Westside Coalition, also called the sudden closure "a bit disappointing." While city officials conducted a similar closure of another section of the trail last fall, he said that came after community engagement and a heads-up. This week's closure came without warning.

"The first that a lot of people in our neighborhood found out about the trail being closed was while trying to access the public space while walking their dogs," he told city leaders during Tuesday night's Salt Lake City Council meeting.

He said the lack of information fueled "a lot of speculation" and misinformation online, including rumors the closure was permanent or the land had been sold. Some voiced frustration Tuesday that it took "many years" of complaints and news coverage for the city to take action during the meeting, while others don't think it's a viable long-term solution to an ongoing issue.

"I appreciate the recent efforts of the police department in closing down part of the trail. It is certainly a start, but it is a little more than a Band-Aid approach," said Kevin Parke, chairman of the Rose Park Community Council. "We need a plan, something more than whack-a-mole."

Salt Lake City Police Deputy Chief Andrew Wright said Tuesday that the temporary trail closure will give officers time to "fix a broken system" by clearing sight lines, improving lighting and removing "dark corners" where many criminal transactions take place. It also offers time for crews to rehabilitate the riverbanks and other environmental issues in the area, while one portion of the trail will be relocated.

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Salt Lake City closes Jordan River Parkway section amid 'cartel activity' concerns

A section of the Jordan River Parkway trail in Salt Lake City is now closed possibly for months over multiple issues along the route, including public safety concerns.

Although many experiencing homelessness have built camps along the trails, Wright said officers plan to target drug dealers and other criminal offenders who have moved operations in as well. Criminal enterprises have created public safety issues and made residents feel unsafe.

"We know there are vulnerable people who are experiencing homelessness who are being exploited, and we will not let that stand," he said. "This is not about displacement; this is about criminal disruption and accountability. ... We will not let crime define the Jordan River trail or the communities that neighbor it."

Yet, residents weren't the only ones who voiced their frustrations about the situation during Tuesday night's meeting. Salt Lake City leaders, some of whom apologized for the lack of communication after the meeting, say the situation is the result of missteps at all levels of government that have spilled out onto the west side.

Salt Lake City Councilwoman Victoria Petro said she understands the concerns, adding that her young son has even witnessed some of the problems. She believes the issues start with a lack of funding from the federal government, which she said has turned streets and jails into "de facto mental health treatment" facilities.

She told KSL.com on Monday that Operation Rio Grande — a state-led measure in 2017 that sought to solve many of the same issues now plaguing the Jordan River — was never properly completed. She, Parke and others contend that it pushed the old issues near the Rio Grande Depot to the west side, while new development interest near the Utah State Fairpark has now pushed troubles north along the trail.

Instead of focusing on the growing problem now along the river, Petro said the Utah Legislature appeared to gravitate toward other city-related topics during this year's session.

"We have a state that paid more attention to pride flags and bike lanes than to the homelessness crisis, despite the fact that they have a statutory responsibility to create a health and human services strategy that is then enacted programmatically at the level of the 29 counties," she said, adding that it's left local police to handle the issue in local parks.

Utah leaders called on Salt Lake City to create a public safety plan before the legislative session, partially over concerns happening by the Jordan River. After the plan was released in January, state lawmakers passed more than two dozen bills with ties to it.

The Legislature also passed HB465, which puts Salt Lake City on track to partner with the Utah Department of Public Safety on public safety issues. The city initially pushed back against the bill but dropped its fight after provisions like funding punishments for not partnering were removed. The bill also allows the state to use eminent domain to claim unincorporated property in the city for a future homelessness services facility.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the city likely doesn't have all the answers to solving the problem, but it's eager to find something that clicks. She added that the city also needs state help, new jail beds and a new way to prosecute people who cause issues, all of which are included in the plan.

"We will strategize how to reclaim that trail together," Petro said. "We will not tolerate and be OK with criminality and with those who come in and take advantage of the vulnerable because of unchecked homelessness."

Residents hope that's the case.

Parke said it's sad to see what's happened to the beloved open spaces in his neighborhood. The places that brought joy to his family no longer feel safe, and the situation has left him wondering if it's time to move after over 25 years living in the area.

"I love my neighbors and I love my community," he said. "But last night, as my wife and I drove past a man shooting up on Riverside Drive, we had to ask ourselves, 'Is this what we want our grandkids to experience when they come to visit?'"

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