Homeless camp removal underway in Wilkes-Barre

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — City officials have started to “thoroughly clean and clear” a homeless camp in the riverfront area of Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre.

On Monday, Mayor George Brown announced that the city would be coming to thoroughly clean and clear the riverfront area of Kirby Park.

“The current situation needs to be remedied. It presents significant health and welfare issues for area residents who use the park, and city first responders who receive frequent calls to that area. Once this process is completed, the area will be posted, and any violations of current city regulations will be immediately and strictly enforced” stated Mayor Brown.

A statement from the city said any personal belongings still at the site after 6:00 a.m. on Thursday will be considered abandoned property.

Wilkes-Barre City provided a list of emergency shelters and helpline for those who are staying at the camp;

• Mother Teresa’s Haven, a program of Catholic Social Services is a daily shelter for men. Contact can be made by phone at 570-825-9948 or you can go to the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, 39 East Jackson Street, Wilkes-Barre where information would be available.
• Ruth’s Place, a program of Volunteers of America is a permanent shelter for single women located at 425 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre with contact by phone at 570-822-6817.
• Keystone Mission, is an overnight shelter for men and women from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. first come, first served. 90 E. Union Street, Wilkes-Barre with contact by phone at 570-871-4795 x 0600.
• Housing assistance and service options are available from the Commission on Economic Opportunity, contact by phone at 1-800-822-0359 asking to speak with a homeless case manager.
• In addition, HELPLINE, the 24-hour information and referral service at 570-829-1341 or 1-800-829-1341 can be contacted for information about shelter and services

City officials say the cleaning process will be completed by the end of Friday, July 26.

It’s a matter of public safety so says Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown so he gave the order to clear out a homeless camp in Kirby Park.

This is where more than 30 people called home. There were tents and makeshift shelters.

Many of the homeless are being helped out by social service agencies. Others tell 28/22 News they don’t know what they are going to do.

Heavy equipment moved in at first light Thursday morning to a longtime homeless encampment in Kirby Park.

It’s located on a walking trail between the Susquehanna River and the levee. The city posted notices on Monday that the people who lived here had until 6:00 a.m. to remove their personal belongings, or they would be thrown away as abandoned property.

Several homeless folks moved their belongings to a parking lot, and were transported by the nonprofit Volunteers of America to a storage area or a destination of their choice.

The homeless folks we talked with were not happy about the clearing operation.

“It’s kind of out of control. I mean we didn’t have enough time to prepare,” stated Salena.

“I think it’s crazy. We don’t bother anybody,” said Autumn.

But people who walk this trail say it’s been a bother: trash, feces, and debris.

“This was a great park at one time. A lot of people used to enjoy it. Now it’s really very hard to enjoy when you have this many encampments,” said David Karney of Kingston.

“I will take the responsibility and I will take it it was my decision so the buck stops here,” commented Mayor George Brown (D).

Mayor George Brown says the encampment was a health and safety hazard to citizens and the homeless.

“We contacted several agencies before we put this into the works, let them know that this is going to happen. We know that there are beds available,” explained Mayor Brown (D).

Brown talked with officials at Keystone Mission in Wilkes-Barre which operates a shelter that is open during the day and night. They’ve seen folks from the Kirby Park encampment camp come for help.

“The services we offer to them are essential in that individual can come in meet with program specialists and get the things that are needed in order for the to take the next step in life,” noted Danielle O. Keith Alexandre.

And of course it’s up to the of the homeless person to take advantage of those services. There are other homeless shelters and services available in our area.

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