Jamestown declares State of Emergency due to unauthorized camping throughout city

Jamestown, N.Y. (WBEN) - Due to an estimated 300 unauthorized people camping on both public and private land, creating severe impacts on public health, safety, and city resources, officials in the City of Jamestown have declared a State of Emergency.

According to the city, this crisis is causing severe health and safety challenges. Individuals residing in encampments frequently contend with mental health issues and substance abuse, leading to hazardous behaviors such as the improper disposal of needles and defecation on public properties, including in the Chadakoin River.

Needles have been found in public spaces, parks, and even residential areas, posing a hazard to residents, city workers, and visitors who might accidentally come into contact with them. The improper disposal of needles can heighten the risk of transmitting blood-borne pathogens, such as HIV and Hepatitis B & C. Additionally, the accumulation of human waste along the Riverwalk and public pathways has further aggravated the situation.

The city is also fearing the presence of encampments will increase the risk of spreading infectious diseases within the broader community. With limited access to sanitation and hygiene facilities, all campers are at an elevated risk of contracting and transmitting illnesses such as Hepatitis A, tuberculosis, and COVID-19.

City officials note encampments are causing substantial environmental damage, with garbage and debris littering public spaces and attracting rodents, roaches, and other pests. These rodents, roaches, and pests are spreading from encampments to residential areas.

Western New York Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23) believes this is a culmination of a lot of lousy policies by the State of New York, and they're all colliding all at once in Jamestown.

"I really salute Mayor Kim Ecklund for standing up and declaring this State of Emergency. I've talked to her, I think, every day this week leading up to this, and it had to be done," said Langworthy while appearing with David Bellavia on Friday. "They're working hard to revitalize their riverfront, improve the city. She just came in as a new mayor, and she's got these illegal encampments because of New York State law, there is no way to force these people to get the help that they need."

City officials are saying the empathy and generosity of residents providing food, supplies, and money to campers can inadvertently perpetuate a cycle of dependency and deter individuals from seeking long-term solutions. That's why the city is encouraging residents to channel their goodwill through structured programs that offer sustainable support and promote self-sufficiency.

However, Langworthy says the individuals in these encampments that are being approached for help by these types of programs often do not want the help that's being offered.

"They know no one's going to do anything to them in New York State. So the mayor has declared the State of Emergency so they can actually enforce the laws in the City of Jamestown, bust up these illegal encampments and shut this problem down for the taxpayers," Langworthy added.

Jamestown resident Elle told Bellavia on Friday the situation in Jamestown is unfathomable, but not because it's frightening.

"It's just because it's allowed to go on, and it's not new," said Elle with WBEN. "The Comedy Fest is coming up next week, and I'm sure you can probably see this encampment from the National Comedy Center, and, of course, that's not good for business."

Elle disagrees with Langworthy, saying there are many of those in the encampments that do want the help to better their situation.

"Do some of them not want help? Sure, but many of them do want help. But they've been turned away, or you don't jump through this hoop. Or, 'Hey, you need to be in Dunkirk for this appointment,' except they're homeless and they have no way to get around," Elle said. "Every hoop these folks have to jump through, it's a whole lot easier to just go back, find your dealer and do what you've got to do."

Judging by the reports he has seen on the matter, Langworthy is appalled by the fact that many of those campers are not even from the City of Jamestown.

"They want a nice waterfront location to hang their hat in the nice warm, summer months. Meanwhile, the taxpayers of Jamestown and Chautauqua County can't afford to put themselves at risk, because you've got heavy drug use, you've got needles, you've got human waste and filth that's piling up along the riverfront," Langworthy said. "I don't blame the employees of the City of Jamestown for saying enough is enough. It's not in our contract that we have to clean up human excrement. This has got to stop."

However, Elle points to the fact that many of these people are the most vulnerable among us, and have many loved ones that live in the city

"They're mental health folks, they're abused women and children, they are drug addicts, they're homeless veterans," she said.

In May of this year alone, the Jamestown Fire Department responded to fires at four vacant, condemned properties, all of which were occupied by campers. To date, there have been 21 fires involving vacant and condemned structures, along with 45 investigations into illegal burn complaints.

Meanwhile, there has been a rise in criminal activities, such as theft, violence, harassment, trespassing, and vandalism. The city has received reports from downtown patrons and employees revealing frequent harassment, with individuals being targeted by aggressive behaviors and having personal belongings thrown at them.

The Jamestown Police Department says it is stretched thin with officers being diverted from essential duties to manage camper-related issues. It adds the redirection of resources delays responses to other critical community needs and exacerbates the city’s broader challenges.

As for the financial impact of the crisis, the city says it has been profound.

Daily cleanups in the city have become increasingly unsustainable, as city employees frequently discover areas re-littered with substantial amounts of debris, trash, human waste, and potentially hazardous items within hours of clearing them. This has placed a significant burden on taxpayers, as the added labor and disposal costs are ultimately borne by the city.

The city has received reports of issues stemming from the encampments and disruptive campers prompting some businesses to reconsider their presence in Jamestown. A number of businesses are contemplating relocating outside the city limits or out of Chautauqua County entirely, putting their properties up for sale in the process.

In turn, this hampers efforts to attract new businesses and investments, as potential investors are deterred by the visible and pervasive issues associated with encampments and the related illegal activities.

The city worries the continued exodus of businesses would be catastrophic for Jamestown’s economy, undermining efforts to foster economic growth and stability.

Additionally, the improper disposal of waste, such as needles, is contributing to severe plumbing issues for local businesses, with one establishment alone incurring $800 in weekly remediation costs.

Langworthy feels the State of New York has created this culture, and it's on Gov. Kathy Hochul to fix this crisis for the residents of Jamestown.

"New York City is getting tons of our tax dollars poured into it because they've welcomed illegal aliens from all over the country [with] the sanctuary policies. But this is a continuation of sanctuary policies," he said. "Undoubtedly, people are here illegally, down on that riverfront, and then a lot of other people are joining them. People that do have mental health problems, people that do have substance abuse problems. And we should get those people help, but we don't have mental health facilities in the state anymore.

"The governor's got to wake up. We have a huge mental health crisis in the State of New York and across the country, but especially in New York. Every one of our hospitals that I deal with that come for assistance talk about how the mental health crisis in New York, and the lack of facilities to take care of these people is clogging up the ERs. So actual people that have crises and need urgent care, those beds are being filled by people that should be in a mental health facility."

Meanwhile, Elle feels if there's no one that's willing to go to these encampments and look those people in the eyes, they will never understand the magnitude of the situation at hand.

"It's not important to Gov. Hochul, it's truly not. It's in Jamestown, and light is finally being shed, because you can't hide them in the summer," Elle said.

"She's not coming here. She's worried about kids with cell phones in school rooms. She's not worried about people living outdoors, pooping in a ditch, or who knows. She's not worried about that. Again, it does her no good. Does Nick Langworthy want to come down and take a walk with us, and meet these people? Because they're vilified and people are horrified. Honestly, when you stand face-to-face with them and they look you in the eye, they couldn't be any lower in their life, and they're just so grateful that somebody, anybody will show up and help them, or at least tell them we see you, we care, we're doing all we can. We failed because, again, just regular citizens don't have enough resources for this. But the idea that these government offices are the answer, they won't come out to the streets. They won't see this with their own two eyes."

The City of Jamestown says it is committed to addressing this crisis with the urgency it requires. The declaration of a State of Emergency is a vital plea for immediate support to protect the health, safety, and well-being of residents and visitors alike.

Officials are urging all government authorities to fully grasp the gravity of the situation, and provide essential resources and assistance needed to tackle this issue effectively.

The city says the crisis encompasses urgent health, safety, and environmental issues that require immediate action to maintain Jamestown’s integrity, and ensure it remains an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family, while also securing ongoing support for both individuals in need and residents.