conditions of over 300 people at the encampment. Why aren't Minneapolis city
officials declaring a state of emergency and seeking state assistance to solve
this growing problem?
The camp has claimed a 3rd victim with the death of Pamela Rivera a 51 year
old, mother of eight. From the Star Tribune article by reporter Chris
Serres:
"Despite an intensive outreach effort by American Indian and local health
agencies, heroin and methamphetamine use remains common at the encampment, near
the Little Earth housing development, and overdoses are an almost daily
occurrence, residents and health workers say."
and
"In recent weeks, the encampment has become more divided: One end consists
mostly of families with children, while the other end (nearest to East Phillips
Park) appears to have more drug use and altercations. Some families said they
have become afraid to venture to the other side of the encampment after dark
because it is frequented by drug dealers."
http://www.startribune.com/third-death-linked-to-minneapolis-homeless-camp-raising-tensions-over-drug-dealers/494811911/
The response from city hall so far is to allow conditions at the encampment to
continue to deteriorate as the weather turns colder and wetter. Temperatures
this week have dipped into the 40's at night.
Facebook video at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1878719832391750/permalink/2126508977612833/
Present plans approved by the City Council not see significant change in the
encampment until early December.
http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-council-approves-site-to-relocate-homeless-camp/494422641/
"The site at 2105-2109 Cedar Av. S. won’t be ready until early December because
three buildings on the property need to be demolished and any residual
pollution must be cleaned up, according to David Frank, the city’s Community
Planning and Economic Development director."
Are the residents of Minneapolis and their elected officials really going to
allow women and children to live in these conditions for another two months?
How can a city that prides itself on its progressive politics not have a
greater sense of urgency to house the people of this encampment in housing fit
for human habitation?
Dennis Hill
St. Paul