MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Authorities are explaining why a homeless encampment was cleaned out Monday.
Social workers, police and city workers removed the encampment that was under the Pleasant Street Bridget in downtown Morgantown.
Police Chief Eric Powell said after receiving complaints from residents in the area they went to the camp to offer information about social and housing services available in the area. Powell said they visited the locations at different times of the day in hopes of reaching all the people that could be moving through the area.
“Our officers, as well as the fire department had responded there on at least two occasions with complaints of smoke and fire in the area. So both the fire department and our officers had been there a few times,” Powell said.
When an encampment is identified for removal, residents have 14 days to comply after the order is posted. Copies of the order to vacate are also displayed in the general area to get the word out. When the camp is cleaned items are sorted with the help of social workers and stored at a common location so people can return to claim property.
“The goal is to help these people find permanent housing,” Powell said. “We’re not looking to harass people, we’re just trying to help people and improve their situation as best we can.”
The camp residents are largely transient, according to Powell.
“Some are passing through, some have heard and come here intentionally because they’ve heard about the social services the area offers and they’re coming here for those reasons,” Powell said.
In the summer of 2020, about 30 people occupied private property along Deckers Creek in Greenmont. After weeks of complaints from neighbors about drug use, fights and property crime, the camp was vacated.
“The most we can do is make them aware of those services and point them in right direction,” Powell said. “Give them all the tools we can to make things better for them and at the same time improve the quality of living in the downtown and city.”
MPD Downtown Police Officer Justin Behm said a second camp has been identified under the South High Street Bridge near the Monongalia County Board of Education.
“I made contact with several folks that were in that camp yesterday just to make sure they were aware of services and outreach that is available to them,” Boehm said. “We’re going to try to work with them.”