City of Jamestown, NY declares emergency over homeless encampments

Jamestown, NY ( WJET/WFXP ) — The City of Jamestown, NY government has declared a state of emergency citing unauthorized camping sites on public and private land.

In a release, the city said they lack the funds and resources to manage what they’re calling necessary to effectively manage the crisis calling it a plea for immediate support from the county and state.

The city estimates there are roughly 300 people living in these unauthorized campsites saying they pose a risk to public health, safety and city resources. They also said there will be enhanced policing, stricter enforcement of public space regulations, and rigorous adherence to city codes immediately.

Health & Safety Concerns:

City officials said people living in these encampments often suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues saying it leads them to not dispose of needles properly along with defecating in public areas like the Riverwalk, exposing government workers to hazardous conditions daily.

They also said the encampments lead to an increase in diseases being spread like Hepatitis A, tuberculosis, and COVID-19 due to a lack of hygiene resources.

Environmental Impact:

As for the environment, Jamestown officials said the encampments cause damage with litter which attracts rodents and other pests that in turn spread to residential areas. Campfires were also cited as a “serious threat” to surrounding buildings.

Fire Hazards:

The city claimed the fire department responded to fires at four different condemned buildings occupied by campers with 21 fires involving vacant and condemned structures and 45 investigations into illegal burn complaints.

This combined with the fire and development department spending time daily securing properties that are condemned or abandoned that have been broken into has cost the city significantly.

Crime & Security Issues:

The city also said the crisis has caused a rise in crimes like theft, violence, harassment, trespassing, and vandalism. The city said while all campers don’t engage in such behavior, a “significant subset” of them do, causing issues for residents and businesses.

Jamestown officials cited the theft of city-owned garbage and recycling bins, bicycles from porches, shopping carts from stores, and metal components such as electrical wiring and air conditioning units as examples.

Economic Burden:

The city said they’ve reallocated resources to help mitigate the crisis which costs them increased expenses for police overtime along with costs of trash and debris removal impacting revitalization efforts.

Daily cleanups have also become unsustainable according to the City of Jamestown which said the areas are filled with debris, trash, human waste, and potentially hazardous items within hours of clearing them and are affecting local businesses along attracting new ones.

Impact on City Departments:

In addition to the fire, police, parks, public works and sanitation departments, the Department of Development said they’re overwhelmed and are unable to address over 1,000 case files hindering their ability to tackle urgent safety, property value, and community concerns.

Community Compassion & Unintended Consequences:

While the city said they know the people of Jamestown can be generous, they’re asking citizens to channel their goodwill through structured programs that offer sustainable support and promote self-sufficiency.

They also encourage campers to use available resources but said many campers have declined aid from government and non-profit resources.

Call for Government Assistance:

The city said that they lack the essential funding and resources to effectively manage the crisis. By declaring a state of emergency, Jamestown hopes to secure additional funding and resources and says the declaration “is essential to the health and safety of the nearly 29,000 residents.”

The city says that Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., which was designated by HUD as the continuum of care provider, is tasked with addressing homelessness throughout the county. However, they say that comprehensive support is needed at all levels of government.

Complexity of the Homelessness Issue:

The city acknowledges the complexities of this crisis, stating that the multifaceted challenge demands a comprehensive strategy. The city has worked alongside non-profits, government agencies, and elected officials. Despite these efforts, the number of encampments continues to rise.

The county lacks mental health evaluation facilities, with the only one in the county located in Jamestown. Due to this, individuals from Northern Chautauqua County, Erie County (New York), and Cattaraugus Counties are all brought to the Jamestown facility. This means after evaluation, individuals are left stranded with no means to return home.

In collaboration with UPMC, the city is urging the Governor to assess the need for an additional 939 facility in Western New York or neighboring county.

New York Mental Hygiene Law § 9.39, 941 & 945:

New York Mental Hygiene Law § 9.39 allows the involuntary commitment of individuals with mental health issues who are deemed as a danger to themselves or others. However, the city says that this law has magnified issues. Individuals who are subject to § 9.39 or transported under § 941 and § 945 are often brought to UMPC Chautauqua, which is the sole mental health evaluation center in the county. This has caused the hospital to become overwhelmed by the volume.

After evaluation, many individuals do not receive adequate follow-up care or a means to get back to their original location. This leaves them stranded in Jamestown, and many individuals join the growing encampment population.

Crisis Stabilization Centers & Funding Delays:

Crisis Stabilization Centers (CSCs) are specialized facilities that provide immediate, short-term intervention and stabilization for individuals having a mental health crisis. These centers aim to create a secure and supportive environment where individuals can receive urgent care before transitioning to a long-term facility.

In 2022, NY enacted legislation that would establish and fund CSCs and would provide funding to set these centers up. However, the release of the funds remains in limbo after being delayed by the Governor. The city says this delay not only undermines essential mental health services but also affects broader efforts to mitigate homelessness in the city.

Addiction Treatment Gap:

Another gap caused by inadequate 24/7 service, is the capacity to support individuals and provide comprehensive care to those struggling with addiction. Chautauqua County only has one facility and it has very limited capacity which leaves many without vital care for overcoming addiction.

The city says that immediate steps are needed to expand inpatient addiction treatment facilities and services to address the critical issue.

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