Directors of the Brother Francis Shelter and Bean's Cafe in Anchorage say they're trying to be proactive about human waste near their facilities, including feces and urine, after receiving advice from city health officials.
"There's that human ick factor for everybody," said Brother Francis Shelter Director Mary Beth Bragiel. "It feels disrespectful to the property and other people that are using the property. So we would like to see it go away."
Between Wednesday and Thursday afternoon much of that human waste did go away, thanks to a shelter guest who volunteered for the job of groundskeeper. Bragiel said part of the groundskeeper's job is to go around the building and remove any litter, including human waste.
Volunteers willing to perform the groundskeeper role are offered incentives such as a more private room at the shelter in which to sleep overnight, plus they can wake up an hour later than the rest of the guests and can eat dinner earlier.
According to Bragiel, officials with the Department of Health and Human Services contacted the shelter in July to discuss cleanup procedures and make suggestions. She says the protocol in place for years was slightly changed, to include sanitizing rakes and shovels that are used for the cleanup with bleach. All waste is double-bagged and tied before being put in Dumpsters.
Bean's Cafe shares a campus with Brother Francis. Its executive director, Lisa Sauder, says four staffers monitor the area around Bean's.
"We are doing everything we can in conjunction with the Brother Francis Shelter to be a good neighbor and to be a good community citizen," Sauder said. "We are aware of it and we are doing the best we can."
The homeless do have alternative facilities, located between Brother Francis and Bean's. There are about 10 shared restrooms open to the public throughout the day and night.
Dr. Michael Cooper, with the state Department of Health and Social Services, says it's important to practice good hygiene indoors and outdoors to avoid the spread of disease.
"The majority of risks associated with people with exposure to human waste will cause gastrointestinal disease," Cooper said.
Cooper says most bacteria and organisms in fecal matter die quickly after being exposed to the elements but viruses, like hepatitis A, can live longer. That means people may contract the disease if they come into contact with feces from an infected person.
"Always wash hands is the big one, that will eliminate most of your risk after exposure with that," Cooper said.
Contact Mallory Peebles