Resident tells Longview council camping ordinance targeted outreach group 1 Love Longview

During the public-comment period on Jan. 8, Rafael Vizzi told Longview City Council that the city's anti-camping ordinance had been used in ways that unfairly targeted the outreach organization 1 Love Longview and the people it serves.

Vizzi said the ordinance originated after safety complaints from a single city block and contended that enforcement followed the group when it moved sites, citing repeated permitting demands and zoning enforcement that he described as selective. He alleged that a city worker was later fired for performing their duties lawfully and said he had witnessed threats and stalking aimed at people connected to the outreach organization. Vizzi identified himself as someone who 'lives with 1 Love' and framed his remarks with scriptural references.

Council members did not directly respond to the specific allegations during the public-comment exchange recorded in the transcript. No staff rebuttal or formal investigation was announced on the record in this meeting. The mayor thanked Vizzi for his comments and proceeded to the next speaker.

Claims and status: Vizzi alleged selective enforcement, unfair permitting, an unjust firing, and threats/stalking toward outreach clients. Those claims were not refuted or substantiated in the meeting record; no city official provided factual responses on the record during this session.

Next step: The transcript contains no recorded follow-up assignment, investigation, or staff response; council or staff may choose to address the allegations in a future meeting or through administrative channels.