Homeless camp impacting Hazle Twp. residents

HAZLE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Residents of a Luzerne County apartment complex near Hazleton say they are having problems associated with a nearby homeless camp.

They say the people in the camp are stealing from their properties and causing disturbances, mainly at night.

They called the I-Team for help, claiming their concerns were not being addressed by local officials.

The homeless camp is located in the woods right across the street near the Hazlewood Apartments, just north of the city of Hazleton.

Residents claim some of the folks who live in the camp are coming here causing problems.

“What do you want to see gone here?” 28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick asked.

“I’d like to see the cops get them out of here because it’s too much, too much going on,” said resident of Hazlewood Apartments Jodi Cohan, from Hazle Township.

These residents of the Hazlewood Apartments tell 28/22 News in recent weeks, problems connected to the nearby homeless camp have intensified.

They claim that patio furniture has been stolen, and homeless people have been prowling at night, sometimes yelling and screaming.

They just want something done about it, saying their quality of life is being ruined.

“I can understand people being homeless but when you start bothering other people’s things that don’t belong to you and taking things then it becomes a problem,” said Connie Stephens, a resident of Hazlewood Apartments.

“Probably if we could go into the woods there to check it out we’d probably find it there… the things that are gone,” Cohan stated.

State Police at Hazleton urge residents to call them immediately when problems occur.

“If there’s anything suspicious in the area people should notify should call us. It’s our job to investigate,” said Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Anthony Petroski.

28/22 News spoke to the property manager who says they have added additional lighting and is working with the state police.

Hazlewood is a community offering affordable living to seniors. We are disturbed that they have been targeted by thieves. We have recently upgraded the lighting on our property, installed additional security cameras, and have been reaching out to the police for help with this problem.

We will also be attempting to reach out to the school district which owns the property across from our community, where people may be involved with these incidents. We are also advising all residents that they should bring personal belongings into their apartment homes for now, and that our team can assist them with this should they need help.

Laura Zaner, VP, Marketing & Communications

28/22 News also reached out to the Hazleton Area School District, which owns the property.

The district has the ultimate responsibility to address the homeless camp, which would mean removing it.

We have not heard back from the district.

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