Parks attracting summer squatters

By LAUREN L. DILLARD

Of the News-Register

On Wednesday, code enforcement officer Kathy Holm headed out to a city-owned wetland off Dayton Avenue, behind a pump station, to post an eviction notice for unknown parties that had established a campsite there. She advised the squatters she would be returning Thursday and they needed to be gone by then.

She was good to her word, and was pleased to see they had taken heed. However, they left behind enough trash to fill three bags and enough personal belongings to fill three more.

Holm gets a report of someone camping in city-owned open space at least once a month. And it's not uncommon to get two or more in the summer months, when the weather is more inviting.

She's been especially busy in recent days. "It just seems like lately I've kind of gotten a few extra ones," she said.

Holm also had to serve an eviction notice Wednesday to a man camped in Kiwanis Marine Park, along the riverbank next to Dancer Park. She was able to deliver that one in person.

"It's only fair that they be able to get their belongings and move on," she said. "You have to have empathy for these people 'cause a lot of them don't have anywhere else to go."

Sometimes, it's people engaging in recreational camping in the wrong spot. Often, it's homeless men and women looking for a place to set up housekeeping.

"As we become aware of those encampments, we do our best to do something about it," said Public Works Superintendent David Renshaw.

If there is someone Holm can speak to, she will. Otherwise, she posts notices in the area in Spanish and English.

People can be cited for scattering rubbish or creating a public nuisance. They can also be permanently banned from city parks.

Holm said the response is designed to fit the circumstances. "If we can see that somebody needs assistance, we will try and refer them," she said.

She was back at it Friday. She had to post an eviction notice behind the softball diamonds at Joe Dancer.