Homeless told to leave multiple Springfield camps

Advocates say they were notified Thursday morning that several homeless camps around Springfield were being broken up by city officials. Homeless people were told they had 48 hours to vacate or face trespassing or public camping charges.

Police confirmed that at least three camps were put on 48-hour notice. The camps were located at the 1700 block of West Norton Road, near the intersection of Fort Avenue and College Street, and at James River Freeway and Glenstone Avenue.

It is unclear how many homeless will be displaced. Police say they found 19 tents and interacted with nine people at the camps. Police posted signage near tents for those who might not have been around at that time. Devery Mills, founder of Hearts for the Homeless, estimated as many as 100 people were being told to move.

Representatives from One Door at Community Partnership of the Ozarks and The Kitchen tagged along with police as part of the city's "Homeless Camp Protocol." They offered food, water and information about services for the homeless.

Michelle Garand is director of Affordable Housing and Homeless Prevention at Community Partnership of the Ozarks.

"When there are campsites that are identified on private property, they call me and we can do some outreach," Garand said. "It's pretty amazing (police) will partner with a nonprofit and connect them with a service."

A homeless camp located on BNSF Railway property near the intersection of Fort Avenue and College Street was among those vacated. About 30 people lived there, Mills said. Many of those had moved prior to the city's actions, she said, in response to a KY3 News report that revealed the camp's location.

"It’s shameful that a group of people should be targeted (by the city). Their basic human needs aren’t met in this city," Mills said.

A 35-year-old homeless man who goes by "Pirate" said he was among those told it was time to move from the railroad property. He said he'd been camping there off and on for about a year.

"It's not a very good way of doing it," he said. "Homeless people aren't all thieving drug addicts. Some do make it look bad.

"But most don't even drink," Pirate said. "I have PTSD and other issues that make it harder."

Police spokeswoman Lisa Cox said when tents were found, police posted signage informing occupants it was time to relocate. The signage also gave a phone number for One Door, a nonprofit that helps people find housing.

"It's a private property issue and it becomes a trespassing issue when private property owners don't want people living or staying on their property," Cox said.

Asked why multiple camps were broken up on the same day, Cox said that it takes coordination between the police, One Door and the city's Building Development Services to have a day they can go as a group.

Cox said when it comes to trespassing on private property owned by an individual, police can make people leave immediately.

"So they are being really flexible," Cox said, referring to the 48-hour notice.

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