ROCHESTER, N.Y. — First Universalist Church of Rochester says it now has a 24-hour portable toilet on its property to temporarily resolve a “public problem.”
According to the church, people have been using church alcoves and gardens as toilets. The church says city public bathrooms are closed and locked at night. The church also says there has been “no movement” from the city, and the church says this seems to be “the only way” to keep its property clean.
“No one should be forced to relieve themselves in a church garden. Yet our custodian and congregation
members were cleaning up human waste because our unhoused neighbors had nowhere else to go,” said volunteer garden coordinator Adam Durand in a press release. “This toilet is a small act of dignity in response to a crisis that only the city can solve.”
First Universalist says it has been advocating for 24-hour public bathrooms since 2023, along with St. Mary’s Church and the Washington Square Community Association, Inc.
News10NBC has reached out to the City of Rochester for more information. Check back later for updates.
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