FOLLOWUP: Myers Way encampment ‘resolution’ begins

Thanks for the tips. The no-parking signs along the city’s portion of Myers Way are there because clearance work has begun on the encampments on the east side of the street; City Councilmember Lisa Herbold had said in her newsletter last Friday (as reported here) that she was told “resolution” was planned. Today, two readers told us in mid-afternoon that they had seen city vehicles and tow trucks in the area earlier; we went out immediately to look but the crews were gone, while vehicles and campers remained along the northeast end of Myers. Subsequent inquiries to city and state contacts haven’t yet yielded any information. But during the Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee meeting that just wrapped up, camp managers confirmed that clearance work had happened earlier today. They expressed gratitude – declaring “it was a great day for cleanups along Myers Way” – as the unsanctioned camping causes problems for their attempts to maintain order at their site on the west side of Myers. The clearance work also caused some chaos outside their gates, they said, as some east-side campers and their possessions migrated across the street. While outreach workers have been working with the east-side campers, none will wind up at Camp Second Chance, as its 64 tiny houses are fully occupied, the managers said. We hope to find out more about the east-side situation tomorrow and will check in the morning to see if crews return; the “no parking” signage carries dates running for another week-plus past today.

5 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Myers Way encampment 'resolution' begins"

  • James June 13, 2023 (9:01 pm)

    Any news where the ones who were in the encampment will go now? Are they sheltered somewhere else? I hope they are safe…

    • WSB June 13, 2023 (9:22 pm)

      The city has a new homelessness-response spokesperson who acknowledged my inquiry at day’s end, so perhaps tomorrow we’ll get the standard count of how many people were offered shelter, etc.

    • bolo June 13, 2023 (11:10 pm)

      Several have moved (back?) to W Marginal Way SW, a little south of Highland Park Way SW.

  • Admiral-2009 June 13, 2023 (10:38 pm)

    Camp Second Chance seams to work, what are they doing that can be replicated elsewhere? I suspect that they cull out bad actors quickly.

  • Lauren June 14, 2023 (7:03 am)

    I know this seems like a small thing, but nowhere in this article are the campers referred to as PEOPLE. This dehumanizes them and contributes toward the way our society demonizes unhoused people.

Sorry, comment time is over.