Mayor Brown announces cleanup of homeless camps in Kirby Park

WILKES-BARRE — Mayor George C. Brown has directed that the riverfront area of Kirby Park be conspicuously posted to notify those who have set up camps that the City will be coming to thoroughly clean and clear the area beginning Thursday, July 25, at 7 a.m.

The mayor said it is anticipated that this process will be completed by the end of business on Friday, July 26.

Mayor Brown’s administration has also notified the appropriate local agencies of the city’s plan in the event they would like to be of assistance during this process.

“The current situation needs to be remedied,” Mayor Brown said. “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.”

The city has posted the area to notify those in the encampment area that they need to vacate the area.

The notice reads:

“If you are currently homeless and need shelter or housing assistance, there are services that you can contact to discuss your options.

Emergency sheltering is available from:

• Mother Teresa’s Haven, a program of Catholic Social Services is a daily shelter for men with contact by phone at 570-825-9948 or you can go the St. Vincent De Paul Kitchen, 39 East Jackson St., 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 Ave., Wilkes-Barre, with contact by phone at 570-822-6817.

• Keystone Mission, overnight shelter for men and women from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. first come, first served. 90 East Union St., 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.