New protocol for homeless in parks
Homeless people living “in the rough” in municipal parks have their campsites dismantled by city staff only after they’ve been asked three times to leave and have been given 10 days to do so, says a new city staff report.
That’s the protocol for how the city evicts homeless people from public parks; it’s been in place since November.
The eviction process will be described to the city’s arenas, parks and recreation advisory committee at a meeting on Tuesday night
Phil Jacobs, the supervisor of parks and forestry for the city, will give the presentation to the committee. In a staff report, he summarizes how the protocol works.
First, citizens are asked to report anyone observed living in a campsite in a public park to the city’s public works division.
A member of the public works staff then goes to check on the person’s welfare, states the report — and also asks the person to move.
Next the public works asks the city’s social services department to follow up.
A social services worker is expected to go visit the homeless person nd bring information for them to find someplace safe to live.
If the person still doesn’t move on, public works staff will serve a notice of eviction: the homeless person then has five days to vacate.
If the person remains after those 10 days — and after being asked three times by city staff to leave — the city’s public works department “will dismantle any campsite, tents or homemade shelter and dispose all garbage in the city landfill,” states the report.
Personal belonging will be collected and saved at the city social services department for pickup later by the homeless person, states the report.
The parks and recreation committee meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the city offices at 210 Wolfe St.