Where Should the Homeless Base Camp Go? Part II: How About to a BASE Camp in the Woods--Away from Existing Neighborhoods?

Some have suggested relocating the city's homeless encampment out into the woods, deep in the woods, away from established neighborhoods with the provision of services to be "brought-out" to the camp as necessary.  Interesting idea......

Ever since the issue of the relocation of homeless individuals to the county from the city erupted like Mount Vesuvius last Tuesday----many folks have expressed opposition.  Loudly.  Forcefully.

Not surprisingly--not ONE of the folks I have spoken with has expressed any hatred, disdain, or contempt for these homeless folks camped out in the city under the bridge.  To the contrary and to a person--I have heard just the opposite.  County constituents truly have compassion and sympathy for these homeless folks.  But the sympathy, compassion, and concern by citizens in my district for these folks who are down on their luck does not equate to support for relocation of such homeless folks to areas near their neighborhoods.  And I agree.  I share this sentiment.

Now, cynics will say---They're just a bunch of NIMBY's!   

Perhaps some might look it this issue that way--but I disagree.  Allow me provide the following distinction(s):

 

As a county commissioner, I have to make tough votes for projects that follow all laws, codes, and ordinances and that provide enhancements to communities (retail stores, apartments, houses).  Even when a person, company, or entity has followed all national, state, and local ordinances to lawfully construct a "(fill in the blank)"  There are still some nearby residents who not only disapprove--but who want to rip out my throat for having the audacity to APPROVE the "(Fill in the blank)"  Even when lawful--even if BENEFICIAL.  

On the flip side of this coin is a proposed homeless encampment of 100 or more persons,  sleeping in tents near a residential neighborhood, where apparently proponents of such a "facility" have publicly voiced a plan to establish such a camp regardless and in contravention to what any neighbor might say or think and who have simultaneously NOT yet followed any of the necessary state or local ordinances to establish such an encampment.

I'll leave it to the reader to work out who the NIMBY is and who the concerned residents are in the above two scenarios....

So what should be done about this situation, then? you might ask

Look--I'm not an expert on homelessness.  It's tough and complex.  I've made efforts to help folks from time to time via volunteering time and money and resources to help these folks.  But it's a big problem.

The homeless advocate will tell you it is good to locate these folks near neighborhoods so such neighbors will view the homeless as "humans."  Additionally, the advocates will say having them near established communities will allow them to walk or bike to get groceries and supplies from nearby retail shops and ready access to healhcare, public transportation, and wrap-around services.  Fair enough.

The concerned neighbor might believe that, but might also fear that homeless nearby will engage in trash dumping, illegal drug use, prostitution, panhandling, petty theft of property from homes and stores, and urination/defecation in public.  Such homeowners worry about degredation of property values, safety and security of children and elderly, and neighborhood blight....

Maybe the advocate and the neighbor are both onto some truth.  (hint--They are!)

Regardless--location of a camp near a neighborhood will not help improve a neighborhood.  That is an axiom all can agree upon.  If it did/does--we wouldn't be discussing it right now.

So where do we put them?

Now that the city/state/regional homeless reduction task force has been given lots of taxpayer money ($3 million) to work toward solutions---how about this idea:

Purchase or lease a large parcel of land out in the woods, far away from nearby neighbors.

Set up tent sites, portable showers, portable toilets, and portable office trailers.

Twice a week (or more frequently as the budget and logistics permit), at regular times, bring in the service providers (health, dental, social work, substance abuse counseling, faith-based groups, education, job training, etc.  etc.  etc.   etc...........)

Bus in wholesome fresh fruit, vegetables, and other staples for consumption by the camp residents.

Twice daily, run a bus to the bus transportation hub (so these folks can catch a linked route bus to work or other appointments)

Twice daily, run a bus from the transportation hub back to base camp.

Pay for private security and have a zero tolerance policy for illegal drug use, violation of law, and/ or

Do We Already Run an Ad-Hoc Tent City for the Homeless on County Property?

I've long advocated that the county locate homeless in secure safe tent city environments away from established neighborhoods.  My idea always meets resistance, unfortunately.  But are we implementing this idea already?

Homelessness is an issue that is pervasive around the country.

Solutions that last and are also effective are elusive.

What is the scope of the issue locally?  Well, your guess is as good as mine.  We have heard numbers from 750 total to up into the thousands.  Truth is--nobody knows for sure how many at any given time we have here.

Folks familiar with the issue tell me that the heuristic they use is "1/3."  1/3 of the homeless are there by choice, 1/3 are afflicted with undiagnosed/untreated mental illness and/or drug addiction and are content where they are, and 1/3 are truly down on their luck, out of work and suffering medical, substance abuse, or other ailements.

We all want to help those that want help.

In Escambia County, we have earmarked $4 Million for a number of initiatives to help assist with the problem, provide resources and assistance for homeless in our community, and to pay for counseling, substance abuse support and housing.

We have a number of citizens who want us to do more.  They come to meetings, they email, and they call.

They don't want to see these folks, they don't want them in their community.  In many respects, I agree with them, and I sympathize with their plight.  I mean, who wants to have their possessions stolen from their front yard/porch?  Who wants to witness grown men urinating publicly in view of children, who wants to find a shopping cart full of bags containing human feces and other disgusting rubbish dumped on their front yard? Who wants to risk having their whole neighborhood/subdivision burn down because of a carless campfire accident by a homeless campsite in the adjacent, wooded lot? And who wants to deal with aggressive panhandlers--many of whom are homeless? (all real, local examples, by the way)

Answer--nobody.

The Atlantic did a piece the other day that illuminated many aspects of this issue.  Interesting read.

Back to Escambia---I always advocated that the county establish a tent city AWAY from citizens out in the rural woods where homeless could camp and receive support (food, water, job training, medical assistance, mental health care, security, etc.) in a controlled, supportive, and safe environment without infringing on the rights of citizens and their neighborhoods in the more densely populated areas of the county.  I also advocated that we run a bus between this campsite and the county's transit hub a couple of times daily and provide the homeless residents a bus pass so they could travel about.  This sort of model is done already--- currently, privately on a small scale with the small homeless camp site called "Satoshi Forest."  And that concept works, so I wanted to scale it up.  Interestingly--we had a group of students also come to the conclusion that a camp site away from the city would work.  (Minute 13:00 of this video)

Unfortunately--this concept got no traction.  So we are spending the money we were awarded via a grant on different approaches.  We will see what happens with that.

Meanwhile---now comes word from a source that has intimate, firsthand knowledge about county property off of Beggs Lane and the number of campsites there currently.  When I spoke to this individual yesterday--I was floored by what he said.  "Jeff, there are currently between 100 and 200 campsites on that property already."

That is a massive number.  So that begs the question--are we already, tacitly yet deliberately, operating a tent city for the homeless on County Property?

If we are, and if we are going to perpetuate this location and model--then lets by all means add in the wrap around services that are also needed at a site with this many humans living within it:

Security, dumpsters, portable toilets, washing stations, and portable showers.  Let's also do some outreach, job training, food distribution, counseling, and health care assessments.

If we are going to do it, let's do it right and not apply half-measures and "hope" for the best.

Neighbors Are Frustrated, Concerned, and Angry

 

Neighbors are concerned that more homeless allowed to camp near existing neighborhoods will create more blight, lowered property values, more crime, and more trash including shopping carts full of feces and trash dumped in yards...How does such a plan make neighborhoods and communities better?

My phone has been blowing up about the city's proposed homeless campsite in the County, in District 1 on Houston Avenue.

Anger, frustration, concern.  Those are the adjectives I'd use to describe what I am hearing.  I'd also add hopeless and dejected to those three words.

They don't want the camp 15 feet from their homes.

In short, they feel that if this happens, they are being used to shoulder a problem the city has right now under the  I-110 bridge.  

Thankfully--the city council put this plan on the back burner by a 5-2 vote last night.  That was a smart vote.  And they all know I am vocally and actively opposing any such plan.

Some individuals who are familiar with the issues of the existing camp in the city say a lot of the problems of the existing camp are not being shared with the public.  According to one source who is intimately familiar:  "The PPD have been called out to the camp dozens and dozens of times.  There are drug users, there have been sexual assaults, and all kind of other criminal activities in this camp.  If they get put in the county--all those calls for service will now fall on the Escambia County Sheriff's Office to handle.  Do we really need to do this?  was the rhetorical question this individual asked.

The answer is NO we don't have to.  Take them to the woods--not to suburbia.

Meanwhile--the residents in the general area of the proposed county site, with whom I have communicated, express real concern for the homeless who are down on their luck.  I've not heard one of them say anything disparaging about these folks.  They simply don't believe putting this camp right next to their neighborhood is prudent.  The below email sums up the feelings of these neighbors, perfectly.

"Commissioner Bergosh,

 My name is XXXXXXXX  XXXXXXXX and my family and I live at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, Pensacola, FL 32526 on the corner of XXXXXXXX  and  XXXXXXXXXX Avenues.

 Our property is across Houston Avenue and a few dozen feet from the proposed location to set up a homeless camp. We have serious concerns with this proposal.

 In the four years we have lived here, we have seen several unnerving activities on Houston Ave., including an abandoned car set on fire, a motorist driving on the grass attempting to run over her significant other, homeless individuals smoking what appeared to be illegal narcotics, intoxicated individuals screaming obscenities at the top of their lungs while dancing down the middle of Houston Ave., and countless tons of littering. All of these instances occured with 15 feet of our property.

 Since several homeless individuals already live at times in the proposed camp location off Houston, we have found needles and drug baggies in our lawn and have had a shopping cart full of human feces, rotten food, clothes, and trash dumped in our yard. This has occurred with only a few people living there, let alone hundreds of individuals.

 Since purchasing the house, we have worked hard to improve the neighborhood and build strong

Business Owners want Action on the Homelessness Dysfunction Spreading in the County

A D1 Constituent sent me this picture, taken at the intersection of Beverly Parkway and W Street....Is this what we want our kids to see when driving around this district?

Folks in District 1 are getting fed up with the aggressive behavior of the homeless population that seems to be growing larger by the day.  The trash they are generating, the destruction of property, theft, the panhandling, the public nudity, drug use, camping on private property, and engaging in dysfunctional behavior.  Folks are fed up---and they want action.  I heard it at Monday's town hall, and I have heard it from constituents all over the district.  Yesterday, I received the below email of frustration from a local taxpaying business owner.  He's fed up--and he is saying what a lot of folks are thinking.

"The purpose of this email is to address a concern that I share with other business owners along Beverly Parkway. My office is located at the corner of Beverly Parkway and W Street. We have a serious problem with indigents and transients: trespassing ,aggressively  panhandling ,doing drugs, and destroying property at our places of business and in the surrounding residential area. We have contacted Sheriff Simmons about the problem and he has advised us the majority of the people causing harm are staying on a wooded property adjacent to us. Surprisingly, this land is county owned and even though these people are clearly trespassing and living on the property, the County Commissioners will not issue a trespassing complaint to remove them. Sheriff Simmons has made it clear his hands are tied and he cannot act until you all file a trespass complaint. Is this an accurate representation of the situation ,and if so why are the County Commissioners allowing this to happen? Secondly, why can we not pass an ordinance against camping  or trespassing on county owned property? They are not public property and we should not have to wait for the County Commissioners to trespass people from the county’s  own property before anything can be done. The homeless population in Escambia County continues to grow every year and it is no surprise why when these people can live for free and have sanctuary from the police on county owned property. Whatever needs to change be it a full-on sheriff’s homeless task force or better written ordinances, we would support the effort. What I and other tax payers would not support is keeping things the way they are and continuing to let county land to be used as a base of operations for the homeless. The bottom line is the tax payers in this area are starting to feel like their safety comes second to the rights of the homeless and that’s just not something we’re going to abide by. Please give this matter your utmost attention and provide a response."

TO WHICH I RESPONDED:

"Thank you for bringing the situation to my attention. Unfortunately, this situation is occurring on multiple parcels of land throughout the county not simply the ones owned by the county. I have no issue at all trespassing people who are on county property illegally. If you forward me the address of this parcel, I will give it to Code Enforcement immediately. I agree we should have an ordinance prohibiting this activity, I have on multiple occasions brought the solution of moving the homeless out of the area out to the woods in a campsite where services could be brought to them in order to keep them away from businesses and homes. Unfortunately, this initiative has gained no support from my counterparts. I am not giving up though. I want to be compassionate, but my primary compassion is for folks who want to help and will take help. My understanding of the problem is roughly half of those who are Homeless  are engaging in illegal behavior, and are addicted to drugs or alcohol and have no inclination to change this behavior. But I stand up for business owners and residents and I’m a rule follower so I will look at the situation carefully and again I have no problem proposing an ordinance, which would prohibit overnight camping on vacant county property. Thank you,  again, for  Bringing this to my attention. I am copying our county attorney, our county administrator and our Director of Code Enforcement on this email. Please reply all with the subject parcel that you believe is county owned where homeless folks are camping overnight. Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jeff Bergosh

Commissioner, District 1"

A D1 Constituent sent me this picture of a homeless encampment and trash pile that 
sprung up recently on Mobile Hwy in District 1

(On) "Houston, We Have a Problem...."

Some folks have come up with the brilliant idea to move a massive homeless camp out of the city and now into the county, in District 1.  Oh, and they haven't talked with the nearby residents, the planning and zoning department, county administration, or anyone else at the county.  They just went straight to the press with the plan.  😏 

 

As I discussed in part II of Dumb Ideas that will likely be DOA (Dead on Arrival) the issue of establishing a homeless encampment very near existing neighborhoods was the topic.

That post got instantaneously crushed with hits, and the phone calls came subsequently.

I have now heard from and had the opportunity to speak with one individual in particular with intimate knowledge of the topic and the locations the homeless task force had been scouting.

And first off--full disclaimer:  I support the work of the homeless task force, I support doing whatever we can to assist folks who are down on their luck and not homeless by choice.  But it has to be planned, transparent, and most of all----in an appropriate location that will not negatively impact existing neighbors.  (preferrably way out in the woods away from other existing neighbors)

According to this trusted source with whom I spoke Saturday, the announcement came prematurely.  "We all knew they were looking at multiple sites--but they should not have given the specific site locations so prematurely.  Congratulations--now they have doomed this site!" said this individual, who continued "Look, that (Houston Avenue, County District 1) site is a good location;  It is large and has some nearby ammenities that these folks need--but I disagree with them putting this out so early.  It's like, they have asked for my opinions, I give them, and then they do not listen and do the exact opposite!"  this individual stated.

So, in doing additional research on the site that will apparently be the frontrunner for these downtown interests for the homeless camp they want out of the city--it appears there could be some problems. 

 Zoning, while it apparently meets the initial zoning--it may not meet the size requirement nor the locational criteria.  More to come on that.

But the truly insidious action would be if this group---or any group---just simply starts moving folks to this parcel of land without proper permits, licenses, and approvals.  And with the self-imposed, city proclamation of having these individuals cleared out from under the I-110 bridge by 11-24-21-------This appears to leave only 23 days for any group desiring to use this parcel as a homeless camp to get ALL necessary state and local health and operational permits to do a camp at this location.

Staff has not been approached and know NOTHING about this.

The County Administrator has not been approached and tells me he knows NOTHING about this.

Of course--nobody has called the commissioner of that district nor has anyone bothered to talk to the actual constituents who live in that neighborhood.  But those constituents were blindsided with this plan in the press, and have subsequently voiced their collective displeasure with this idea via multiple angry calls to my office.

23 days is simply not doable if these folks intend to ram this through and do it with appropriate

What's going on at the Homeless Camp(s) being funded by the City?

Wednesday in the PNJ there was an article discussing multiple entities that the city has funded to help take care of Pensacola's homeless.

Several city council members weighed in suggesting the county needs to help fund these groups.  One was reportedly running out of money, according to this article.

The BCC the next day decided to hold off on making firm decisions on any of this money we have allocated from ARPA for homeless inssue ($4.1 Million) ---until we can discuss all the issues in much more depth at an upcoming committee of the whole.

Later in the evening Tursday night, (1:17:10 of this video)several speakers showed up to our BCC regular meeting in order to speak to the homeless issues, and at the very end of the meeting some scathing allegations were leveled against some workers associated with these camps.

Allegations included the misallocation of funds, mistreatment of the homeless, allowing intoxicated adult males in a tent camp with children and women, and one now former employee of one of the city funded camps cried as she described homeless individuals being subject to a "shake down" for money and their EBT cards, random drug testing at all hours (including for children) as well as physical intimidation against her by folks associated with this camp.

Friday morning I spoke to an individual who was named by the speakers and I was sent a chilling recording between her and another individual with REAP---and it got heated as one person was fired.

Discussion/arguments centered around a missing $5,000 dollars and a missing receipt book.  When the male voice asked about this five thousand, the female who was forced out said "that money is not REAP's it belongs to Fearless [community]"

"You're out...I want your keys and and I want you gone." the male voice said angrily.

"I want this all in writing" said the female in the recording.

the recording goes about 9 minutes and is a back and forth between the two with allegations being hurled back and forth.  It's not a pleasant listen.

Meanwhile--I'm now hearing other allegations of misappropriated donated items somehow not being brought to the shelter facilities and one member of this group stashing items donated at her house "on Scenic" with a pool .  What the heck?!?

Sounds like a disorganized, dysfunctional mess.  And now they are running out of the hundreds of thousands the city gave them and they want the county's cash now?

Not for my vote, not until we get to the bottom of all these allegations and mismanagement/mistreatment. 

Not until we figure out just exactly, precisely what is going on at these homeless camps/shelters being funded by the City Council and Mayor.

Working together on the Lingering Issues resulting from the Homelessness Population Explosion in the County

 

District 1 constituents are frustrated with the exploding issue of the homeless
engaging in dysfunctional (often illegal) behavior in their neighborhoods.

I had the opportunity to meet with Sheriff Chip Simmons and his top leadership staff this week, in his office, on a topic that is on everyone's minds today.  What can we do about the homeless that are engaging in dysfunctional conduct in the county?  What can the county do, what can the Sheriff's office do, and what can the community do?

I was joined in this meeting by Tim Day, the head of code enforcement and Jesse Casey, the District 1 Field Representative.

We are receiving a lot of constituent complaints about the conduct of some of these homeless individuals who are engaging in theft and vandalism of property and other behavior including drug use and in some instances sex crimes.  Constituents want action and their frustration is palpable.

The meeting was productive and the Sheriff and his staff want to assist.  The attorneys for the ECSO have been working with the county attorney on updating our ordinance relating to panhandling in the roadways, code enforcement has been working in conjunction with ECSO on some particular areas in the  county where the problems associated with the homeless  have become acute and untenable.

Here is the thing though: nobody wants to vilify or stigmatize any citizen.  Some of these folks are legitimately down on their luck and need help.  The good news is we have resources and we all, collectively, want to help those that want help.  And we will continue to assist and support those in the community that are serving the homeless and assisting them with breaking free of being homeless.

But the others who are engaging in illegal activities, the ones who are trespassing and or dumping trash all over the place trashing some neighborhoods, walking in roadways banging on windows, aggressively bothering motorists and stealing from private property to finance their substance abuse addictions--these are the ones whose behaviors cannot be condoned.

So there are a specific set of strategies that we are going to be implementing going forward.  We will find ways to quickly identify owners of private properties where illegal trespassers are camping unlawfully in order to streamline the trespasser removal process.  I believe the issuance of civil citations will also be on the table for violators/trespassers--mandating these folks appear in court.  And I do believe we will work toward an enforcable county ordinance that will assist the ECSO's efforts to keep aggressive, rude and obnoxious panhandlers out of our roadways and intersections.  There will be other tools which will also be used that are still being explored.

Additionally, I am going to seek funding for dedicated law enforcement staff at the ECSO to directly engage the homeless in the county working closely with code enforcement.  The city has a couple of officers who are doing this currently utilizing CRA funding and I hear this is working well for them.  So I would like to do something similar in the county in the areas where the problem is becomming unbearable.

So much more to come on this---but meanwhile I just want folks to know it is being worked.

Ideas Likely to Be DOA Part II

The idea of downtown "interests" moving thier under the bridge tent city problem out of the city and dumping a homeless encampment in an area of already significant blight within D1, in an area and neighborhood we have actively worked to clean up, with no notice and no communication?  Yeah, this brilliant idea is DOA..... 

Some ideas that get thrown out should die as soon as they escape someone's mouth.

Especially the dumb ones.  

Particularly the really ridiculously dumb ones.

I got blindsided on Tuesday of this past week with a frantic phone call that went a little something like this.  "Jeff, they're going to dump a homeless campground in your district!"

"What?!?  Who is---and where?"  was my response.

On Wednesday, the very next day, I asked administrator Wes Moreno about it.  He told me he hadn't heard anything about this and wasn't keen on the idea.  "I'll look into it to see what I can find out, but I am not aware of this--it's the first I'm hearing of it" he said.

Then between Wednesday and yesterday--my office received multiple angry phone calls from concerned residents on Houston Avenue in District 1.

I can assure you--there has been no coordination with the county on this "plan."  NO coordination/no communication.

We all care about folks that are down on their luck and find themselves in this predicament----but some effort must be given to thinking through the location of where to house potentially hundreds of homeless in tents.  Dumping this sort of an encampment in a neighborhood?

No, that's not going to fly.

An email I received on the topic, below, sums up the residents' fears and concerns.  The email's author also put's his finger on the jugular vein of the issue in short order:

"The proposal to move more homeless into the NEIGHBORHOOD does not seem to be a practical approach to clean up any  already blighted area.My heart goes out to any person or family that finds them self homeless.But by putting Downtown' problem onto other Neighborhoods isn't the way..There has got to be a better solution to this problem. I do not have an answer to Pensacola's homeless problem, but by moving Downtown's  problem to any neighborhood becomes someone else's problem. This can't be Pensacola's long term answer to the homeless problem. Let it remain Downtown's problem until there is a better more permanent solution. As for now bringing an unknown number of people into this area which is already stressed will be the wrong answer."

It is the wrong answer, it will be DOA....

Homeless "Encampments" Popping Up all over the County--Citizens NOT Happy About it

The "shanty-town" (pictured 2-1-23) homeless encampment groing on Mobile Hwy at Michigan Avenue in Escambia County is drawing the ire of citizens that want something done to clean it up......

"Is this what we want visitors to Escambia County to see at the first exit coming off the bridge into our area?"  The caller asked dryly.  And angrily.

He's obviously fed up with what he is seeing in his neighborhood off of Scenic Highway where, right next to the Dairy Queen/Gas station off of the exit and very near dozens of multi-million dollar homes and properties, there is a fledgling pop-up encampment growing right off the side of the road. 

"They are so brazen, they have even brought a couch and placed it right on the side of the road on Scenic Highway--they are sitting on it and eye-balling us as we sit in traffic--it's ridiculous!"

He is heated.  He wants action, he wants this blight to be addressed by the county.  He is not alone, either,  because we have had multiple issues come up over the last year or so, and this issue seems to be growing, not subsiding....

Like issues in my district where we had a massive forest fire erupt that could have taken out an entire subdivision off of Hwy 98 due to a campfire in a homeless camp getting out of control in the adjacent wooded property.

Like what the city dealt with under the I-110 bridge where drug use, crime, theft, prostitution, and other illicit activity was rampant until the city disbursed that campground.

Like what we are seeing on Herman Street....Like what we saw under the bridge on Brent Lane... 

And like what we are now seeing in an area off of Mobile Hwy (Formerly D1, now D3)  Where a group of about 9 homeless individuals have sent up a miniature "shanty-town" right in the FDOT easement of Mobile Hwy------directly in front of the Publix Grocery store there and multiple small businesses.  I have had numerous complaints about this from multiple citizens.

Something has to be done.  This isn't Portland, this isn't Seattle nor is it San Franscisco.  And we don't

What Could Possibly Go Wrong with This Plan?? Marlette Manipulation 33

 

Andy Marlette's cartoon in this morning's PNJ attempts to draw parallels between Republican leadership in Florida and locally with the acceptance of anarchy and lawlessness in Blue cities like Seattle and Portland.  To do this, he pictures the Pensacola I-110 under the bridge homeless encampment and tent city.  Of course, his equivocation on this misses the mark like most of his cartoons do consistently.  Cities like Seattle that allowed entire chunks of downtown areas to be occupied by lawless criminals had nothing at all to do with homeless individuals desperately clinging to existence in Pensacola Florida.  Out west, it was all about ideology and certain quasi-political groups like Antifa flexing their muscle, showing what they could and would do in cities run by like-minded politicians in places like Portland and Seattle.

The homeless encampment in Pensacola under the I-110 bridge, by contrast, is not a political statement being orchestrated by partisan activists---and that's the huge difference between what is happening here and what happens in Seattle and Portland.

Insidiously--Andy conflates the two issues even as he knows they are different.

The issue under the bridge in Pensacola is about folks who are truly down on their luck and are homeless and desperate.  Sure--there is dysfunctional behavior and some criminal activity taking place in the encampment.  Yes, much of it has not been discussed publicly for political expediency as the city desperately tries to make the problem disappear by dispersing it out to the county---which is a disastrous plan nobody supports and for which nobody has even bothered to properly plan for.

But the Seattle "CHAZ" debacle is nothing like what's happening in Pensacola, and Andy knows it.

Nope-- this issue is about the city attempting to move a stubborn eyesore problem out of their viewshed.  And meanwhile--noone has reached out to the county to obtain permits or permission.  The city hasn't attempted to explain this plan to county residents in Bellview who ABSOLUTELY do not want this homeless camp in their neighborhood.

They are just planning on doing it--which I will not support and which I will actively oppose.

So the picture, above, is much more apropos than what Andy presented.  He's making a political attack out of the desperation of the homeless whereas my rendition, above, is a humorous jab at the folks who are naive and believe they can just move this camp next to an existing neighborhood and such a move will not have devastating consequences on the area surrounding such an encampment.

Remember--they are not telling the truth about the dysfunctional activities going on right now around the current site under the I-110.  They don't want you to know about the problems assiciated with this tent city.  This way, they can pat you on the head, tell you everything is alright, and mollify you into accepting this campsite in your neighborhood.  See the way this works?

Unfortunately I see right through them and their plan.  Others do, too.

Safety Concerns Boil to the Surface in Wake of Fire: Help us Please!

Residents of Tampico Blvd in District 1 are concerned the campfires in an unlawful squatters camp behind their subdivision nearly cost them their houses--potentially their lives...

Residents of Tampico Blvd. are frustrated.

A large fire erupted in a wooded lot behind their homes last week.  Before it was contained, residents with whom I have spoken were literally using their garden hoses to keep their fences and backyards wet.  They were concerned that this fire could have overtaken them.

And it could have.  It was stopped literally feet from these citizens' back fences.  They know that were it not for division of forestry personnel and ECFR response--they very well could have lost their homes.

While the fire's genesis has not been officially determined--some residents believe it was a campfire that somehow became uncontrolled.  

"Camp Fire?"

Yes, come to find out there is an "established" homeless camp in the woods of this neighborhood.  Multiple folks living there, defecating there, urinating there, and stacking garbage there.

And burning fires there.  from a constituent:

"I nearly lost my home this afternoon.  There was a woods fire that started behind our homes and ran the length of our homes to Hwy 98. There are homeless people that live in the  woods.  We believe their camp fire started the fire.  We have recently called ESCO because of them fighting in the woods, no one came.  We have spoken to the realtor who represents the owner, to no avail. The owner lives in Dallas, Texas. I called code enforcement because of the trash they have strewn all over behind our house.  They came out and posted the violation.  We nearly lost our homes.  These people have no right  to be there. Please, please do something about this. "

 followed by this one:

"It is late but I can not sleep for worrying about what could be going on  the other side of my fence.  We do have an active complaint with code enforcement regarding the garbage and trash but I doubt if the inspector walked all the way into the woods to see just how bad it is. He would not have felt safe. I saw a video done by my neighbor, Mike Cottrell yesterday.  The extent of this mess is horrendous.  There are huge piles of trash that go on forever that will require bull dozers to deal with for removal. There is human excrement, used needles, crack pipes. They have built tree stands to keep watch.   The fire hazard will get greater as we get into the summer months.  There are children that live in this neighborhood. Summer vacation is coming.  Inspite of parents telling them not to go back there some may be drawn to the forbidden. I am asking that Mr. Bergosh ask a code inspector to go ( with a deputy for protection) all the way thru this site to see how horrendous it really is. Not doing something about this is totally unacceptable. Help us, please."  

In speaking with some folks familiar with this issue--it is a known reality that these squattter encampments are quite common in wooded lots throughout Escambia County.  If they are truly ubiquitous as I am told--how can we insure they are safe and don't start forest fires?

Look--as I said on Ch. 3 yesterday on this topic--we all feel for the folks that are homeless, and we know it is a challenging issue to tackle.  There are some that have addiction challenges, some have untreated mental health conditions, some are truly down on their luck, while others remain homeless "by choice."  I feel for these folks in this condition and I will continue to work to assist however I am able and whenever I am able.

But whether you are homeless or not---if you engage in conduct that puts citizens' lives and property in jeopardy---that conduct must cease.  Your rights as a homeless individual do not allow you to harm other citizens just so you can behave any way you want to.

So I will be speaking with staff about the best way forward on this topic.  I believe it will certainly require coordination/cooperation among multiple entities including the sheriff's office, code enforcement, and social services organizations along with faith-based support groups.

This will be discussed at an upcoming BOCC meeting, as well.

Legislature Takes Strong Action on Homeless "Squatters"

By an 82-26 margin in the Florida House and a 27-12 margin in the U.S. Senate---the Florida legislature has officially passed tough, new restrictions on those who "squat" on public property.  The law will now head to Governor DeSantis' office--where it is widely anticipated he will sign it into law---as he has signaled this as a priority.  HB 1365 gives the roadmap, what is allowed, and what is unlawful for us to do.

This law, in some respects, pre-empts local governments in the homeless space by making it unlawful for persons to "camp" on public lands without authorization from a local government.  It also specifies that nearby affected citizens can sue the local governments if such governments fail to act on this law and tacitly allow such camping via inaction.

It really is a "no-brainer"---and it needed to happen.

Citizens are fed up and disgusted with what we see on our streets, and this legislation answers their collective angst over this activity all over the state.

The law requires local municipalites to remove unauthorized squatters, and provides a mechanism for such local governments to set aside public spaces for homeless folks to camp---provided such locations have security, sanitation provisions, provisions for mental health, job training, and other social services---and that such areas are cleared to operate by the state's Department of Children and Families.

The bill, upon being signed, goes into effect on October 1st of this year.

Although I am a local control guy----I do get it that sometimes the legislature will step over our authority and pre-empt us when a situation is not appropriately being handled by locals statewide.

This is an instance of that.

Interestingly---I lobbied my counterparts and staff STRENUOUSLY on this matter two and a half years ago after my office was inundated with citizen complaints on homeless blight, illegal conduct, litter, standing in roadways and causing distractions at intersections and theft.  Isaid to scale up the Satoshi Forest concept would be cost effective, would provide the unhoused with better, more sanitary and safe living spaces and mental health and other services, and improve our communities.

At that time, I suggested we identify a public property WAY OUT IN THE WOODS where we could provide a safe, secure, clean area for campers and where we could bring services to them while simulataneously keeping these homeless activities out of established neighborhoods.

Even the middle school students from CLA thought a homeless camping area----away from established neighborhoods (minute 13 of this video)----was the way to go!

Unfortunately--I did not receive support for the idea then.  It was essentially pooh-poohed.

But now a law has been passed that essentially URGES we do just what I and the students suggested years ago--with the State's blessing!

So maybe it is time to re-visit the concept once more and see where it goes now?

Because between what we have enacted with the roadway ordinance and now this state law--I do believe we can make some significant headway on this issue

D2 Park Problems Persist: Lawnmower Man, Machete Man, and "Poop-Pyramids" on the Beach Path?

Campers who are apparently homeless are creating a nuissance to nearby residents according to a citizen email received by all commissioners yesterday.

UPDATE --5:30 PM Thursday June 23rd--ECSO have sent their neighborhood services team out to this park today and have worked to help find temporary housing for the mother and her children that had been camping in this park.  Staff from parks report the area was cleaned up and cleared out today--the grass and overgrowth was cut back and appropriate additional signage was placed at this park this morning.  Kudos to ECSO and the parks and recreation department for the quick action.

ORIGINAL POST, below.....

Board members received an alarming email yesterday alleging some pretty serious issues at a county-owned property at the end of Fairfield Drive where that road dead ends into Bayou Grande in District 2.

Addressed to the D2 commissioner, the rest of the board was copied on this complaint.

The email listed some pretty significant issues--to include an allegation that folks are camped out on the water and defecating in the sand and then covering up the excrement with dirt, making "poop-pyramids."  There is also mention of a "Lawnmower Man" (not Jeff Fahey)who roams this area cutting down shoreline growth so he can camp on the shoreline.  Apparently there used to be an individual nicknamed "machete-man" who has been spotted down in this area brandishing a machete.  I think machete man moved along. (And no, thankfully it was not Danny Trejo)

It appears as if the issue has risen to the level of the Sheriff's Office and now multiple county officials are aware of it.  I will speak with staff on the matter, as I now been told one group that is "camping" at this park are actually a mom and her two teen children who are homeless.  Apparently they are desperately seeking assistance--but there are no resources available for these folks even though there's supposed to be a well-funded task force addressing this chronic issue.  The email asserts that this family does not want help?  Anyway-- I'll be looking into that and asking questions when we have our upcoming joint city/county meeting on the homelessness issue.

This picture of a purported homeless encampment in D2's South Fairfield park was sent to all commissioners and staff yesterday.

From the email:

"I sent the email below last week and have not heard back. Many residents in the Beach Haven Subdivision are waiting to hear back from me as to your response to this growing problem.

 The email sent June 17, 2022 :

 Doug Underhill,

 I haven't spoken to you in a few years, but found you very helpful when I needed help in my neighborhood some time ago.

 Our neighborhood needs help. We have a park at the end of South Fairfield Dr. in Beach Haven, which is on the water at Bayou Grande.

 Here are just a snippet of the things we neighbors have dealt with from people at the park. Mind you, I feel if this happened in your neighborhood or Chief Simmons' neighborhood, it would be taken care of by now. And this all happens after the park closes. Fights, drug deals, prostitution (my husband had to get people off the beach having oral sex out in the open in front of our grandkids), meth induced women passed out on my lawn, drunk men passed out on my dock, loud music after 10:00 pm, small things like extension cords and crab traps stolen, witnessing THIS WEEK, a woman living in a tent with kids defecating along the pathways. By the way, this woman thinks it is okay because "I cover them with sand." Take a walk through there and you'll see piles of her poop pyramids. 

 I have called the Sheriff several times this week. Every officer gives me a different answer. I have had the Sheriff at my door step to talk about the issue. Last night I called because the park closed after dusk and the woman camping (as she calls it) was still there day after day. She has left her kids there while she is gone and I told her it is not safe there. "Well why don't you call the Sheriff on the guy with the machete?" Oh my gosh, this is what I'm talking about. It is not safe for her kids. Her response, "I have protection in my tent." Also, her response to me was, "Your Sheriff can't do anything to me and the County can't do anything to me. I don't care if I break the rules, lots of people break the rules." I offered to help her and she told me it was none of my business. I told her there are safe places for her that the County provides where her kids will have access to a toilet. I believe she is from Alabama because of her license plate. Listen, she is not some cracked out mom from what I can tell. But she is refusing help, using the park as her toilet and doesn't care about the laws or the respect of the County property. 

 So this woman is correct, "Your Sheriff can't do anything to me." When I called last night, dispatch had a deputy call me. His response when I asked him to have someone go down and get her out of the park, "We'll try, there are only so many of us." And this morning she is still there. It is so disappointing. So I feel like the Sheriffs just give me BS to get me off the phone and never show up at the park to engage with her. I've called several times this week.

 Go to the end of Rentz Street and you'll see several people living there. At night the "F" word echoes through the air. The park was good for a while, but now it is escalating.

 This is exhausting. Several of us work to keep the park clean. I know you can't police the park 24/7. I know your resources are limited, but you told me when I talked to you about the park a few years ago, that I have the right to call every time. It worked for a while. Now, there are zero results. And you'll love this. I Sheriff came to my house and she said, "The County Commissioner has told us we cannot tell homeless people to move off County property if they have no where to go." What?! But she did get the guy with the lawn mower to leave. Then last

Homeless Need Help! Part II: Lunch

I brought this individual, whom I had seen before, a sack lunch this morning on my way to work.  What happened next was somewhat unbelievable to me......

I wrote yesterday about a recent encounter I had with what I assumed to be a homeless person on my drive in to work.

I didn't like the way it ended, as I described in my post about it.

So this morning I brought a non-perishable bag lunch with me on my commute to work on the off chance that this individual might be on the Cervantes Street overpass again, soliciting for help.

He was there.

So as I pulled up this morning as the light turned green, I pulled up beside him, put my flashers on and rolled down the window, and he came over to the car.  I handed him the bag lunch and said "I brought a lunch for you today-God bless you."  He took the bag with a smile-- and with one single motion-- as I

Project Re-Connect is Helping People

People are upset about the "homeless" situation in Pensacola.

Folks are camping in the woods, starting fires, doing drugs, panhandling, and engaging in antisocial activities that most find unsightly.

So folks want action.

The county has enacted an effective ordinance to prevent folks from creating distractions on the roadways and on road medians and islands in the county.  It was a well-written ordinance that allowed for sheriff's deputies to enforce it.  So the city duplicated it and enacted it there, too.  Word for word.

Now the county is giving homeless individuals one-way tickets out of our area.

It is called project reconnect.  

And it is working, and it is cost effective.  

We find folks who are homeless but who have families and/or support systems elsewhere, in their hometowns, or other places.  Once we confirm they have such support--we pay their one-way ticket back.  We have earmarked $30,000.00 for this program and have assisted DOZENS in getting back home.  And we have not even spent one third of the allocation in doing this.

Recently, commissioners were given this update from staff on this important initiative:

"So far, this program has relocated 38 homeless individuals to various location throughout the United States back to Family, Friends, and Supportive Housing.  We have spent $9,470.33 for those individuals out of the original $30,000 that the County allocated. In 2017 a study was completed and the average cost of long-term homelessness in Central Florida was $36,000 per year per person that was spent on inpatient hospitalizations, emergency room fees, incarceration and other systems associated with homelessness.  This means we have saved Escambia County taxpayers $1,368,000.00 a year by locating the 38 individuals back to other communities where they have a support system."

 Attached is the report and the “Real Change Project Reconnect Guidance” with additional information online at https://myescambia.com/american-rescue-plan/real-change.

See more, detailed information in the below graph:

Welcome to "CAMP" Beggs Lane

An email along with multiple pictures was sent to me yesterday by an individual who tries to assist with the homelessness issues in the Pensacola.

Apparently, these particular homeless folks are entrenched in their own individual areas of this land off of Beggs lane.  Camp fires, tents, busted-down RV's, Opened fire hydrant for water, and trash cans coming.

And this issue is NOT unique to Beggs lane and Jones swamp.  There are homeless camps in wooded lots throughout Pensacola and Escambia County--everyone now knows this.

So, this individual who sent this information is requesting onsite case management and other support services for the women and children and expectant mothers who also reside here along with homeless males.

Looks like a tent city to me.  Interesting that a tent city was my proposal for helping to manage this homelessness issue that is becoming legion in Escambia County--except I favored having this sort of a camp set up under controlled circumstances, with security, drug treatment, medical services, job training, feeding stations, and other wrap around services far away from town, out in the woods.  This way, services could be brought to them and they would not, in the meantime,  be infringing on the peace, quiet, tranquility, and security of existing neighborhoods.  Interesting this sort of a set up was also the solution brought to us by the students at Creative Learning Academy (Minute 13:00 of this video) when they requested to bring solutions to difficult county issues.....

Between this and the Jones Swamp campgrounds--this is starting to look like what I had envisioned albeit way too close in this instance to civilization....

From the email:

"Good afternoon I just want to give an update on the area of Beggs Lane to everyone in the county including John Johnson , the COC. We have successfully moved out permanently 10 people 

 Today we served our normal weekly meal serving more than 75 people During our serving, we noticed many many pregnant women, Families with young children, And many other disabled individuals, all eager to get off the streets. But are keep getting told no room at the shelters or programs. 

 I’m wondering, is there a way like we did underneath the I110 Bridge of getting service providers together and start visiting some of our local camps like the Beggs Lane and others that we are seeing in the news? As you witnessed many of them benefited from having on-site case management. We would be happy to be a part of this or to coordinate anything to get this off the ground so we can get these individuals into something more suitable. We have started much of the casework. 

 Many individuals here at this area are unable to use our public transportation due to their disabilities as well so having on site case, management and medical would be a beneficial for all. 

I was advised that the trash cans will be delivered this week as that is becoming also another health concern. The area has been built by the homeless individuals Into their own community. When coming on the land, you will see how each individual section has been laid out from those suffering addiction to those that are veterans down to women, children, families, and disabled. With the lack of beds in our area, I am asking for anyone’s help to place these individuals into something more suitable. 

I am going to attach some of the photos of the area. In one of the photos, you will also see the fire hydrant busted open where they are using the water. Is there anyway that we can actually get suitable water that does not have to look like it is in the picture?"

 

Big Decisions on Homeless Locally this Week?

The city council will be meeting this week to discuss the homeless situation in the city--particularly the homeless campsite under the I-110 bridge that the city is desperately seeking to clear.

Three options have been put out, and several entities have expressed "interest" in helping.

And there is over $3Million in federal funding in play to apply toward a long range solution and/or strategy to address the issue.

I've spoken to a city council representative, and I have spoken with several experts in this space.

I believe the city should take a step back and re-evaluate their next move(s) carefully.  I believe they should work together with the county on a solution.  Thus far--there has been no coordination.

So hopefully on Wednesday, the Pensacola City Council will press the pause button and bring in County staff to the discussion.  I would not be opposed to a joint meeting on this topic specifically.

But the idea of dumping the campsite in the county with no coordination, no permits, no notice-----yeah, that's not going to happen.  It only would have happened if folks just did it commando style--unlawfully without site approvals, permits, or required permissions.

I'm told that Pensacola/Escambia should consider doing what Okaloosa County is doing on this issue--I'm told their model is "working."

I'd like to know more about it--but I'm not opposed to looking at someone else's best practices that are successful.

But for my part, in my opinion, and for my vote----I think any such facility should be far away from suburbs and existing neighborhoods.  Build a facility out in the woods, far away from any residence, business, or suburban community. 

I also think we need to define what success looks like so that outcomes can be measured.  Touchy-feely feel good platitudes don't cut it.  I want to see numbers.  I want to see outcomes.  I want to know how folks measure success.

We also need to look at how such a facility for the homeless will be funded going forward so that any such concept can stand on it's own two feet and be viable with private support--not necessarily relying on the public sector for funding.

So there is much to be discussed, much to be worked out.  And there is no reason to rush.  Anyone can circle a date on a calendar and say "This will be gone by THIS date."

But as we have seen with respect to the I-110 campground, for example, often times these dates will slide to the right.  Significantly.  Particularly if they are poorly planned and hastily organized.

Homeless Need Help!

Homeless Need Help!

"Homeless Need Help!"This was what was written on the front of the flimsy cardboard sign the man was holding as he walked by my car on a recent morning as I was on my way to work.  He appeared to be young, perhaps in his mid to late 20s.   It was a very cold morning.  In fact, it was in the low to mid 30s, with a brisk north wind blowing.  It was about 6:10 AM. He was walking up and down the side of the offramp from I-110 where it connects to Cervantes Street--and as the traffic would back up (no right turn permitted on a red light) he would walk up and back, hoping someone would roll down the window and give him something.

I was on my second cycle of green light, and I was moving close to the light as it turned yellow, then red.

Knowing I'd be stopped right by where this individual was standing--a couple of different thoughts went through my head simultaneously.

I looked in my passenger seat--there was my laptop bag and my sack lunch.  Actually, it was a sack breakfast and lunch--consisting of a 7.5 Ounce can of Diet Coke, 2 hard boiled eggs, a banana, a bottled water, a microwaveable bag of rice, a tangerine, and apple, and some breaded chicken in a plastic Tupperware.  For a moment, I thought about giving him the whole bag.  I've given food before.  But then I'd be stuck at my desk with no lunch or breakfast, and about 12 hours before I'd be back home.  At about the same time, I thought about giving him a five-spot.  After all, I had about $86 bucks in my wallet-I've given money before.  Then I thought about stopping and just speaking with him, I've done that before.

I remembered the time in Cardiff by the Sea and I was on the way to the beach and I saw a guy with a similar sign.  So I reached into my cooler, grabbed an Ice cold beer and as I drove by I tossed it to him.  He smiled, did not break eye contact, and caught the beer with one hand while keeping the other hand on his sign which did not move--didn't flinch.  It was like a frog catching a fly with his distended tongue.  It was impressive.

I remembered the other time I saw a guy holding a sign like this on 9-Mile road.  This guy had no legs, he

Volunteers Step up to Assist Honor HER Foundation

This past week, a group of volunteers from the Marine Corps League of Pensacola teamed up with other volunteers, to include D1 Field Representative Jesse Casey, to assist the Honor HER Foundation.

Honor HER (Honor, Empower, Rebuild) is a local nonprofit that assists women veterans of the armed forces with housing and other support services.

Of an estimated 1.7 million female veterans who have served--approximately 35,000 are homeless around the country.

That is unacceptable.

Locally, the Honor HER Foundation operates a transitional shelter 100% supported by volunteers and community donations.  The goal is to provide temporary, safe living arrangements while simultaneously providing assistance to the local homeless female veterans they serve by providing social services, computer, and job skills training. The aim is to have these ladies become self-sufficient within 12 months.

The idea was the brainchild of founder and veteran Nancy Bullock-Prevot, who tragically died in a traffic accident in 2022.

Others have carried her vision forward and have continued to serve local homeless ladies in a shelter they run on Fairfield Drive in the west side of Escambia County.

Recently, a number of storage facilities that were generously donated to the shelter experienced issues when the wooden foundations upon which these storage sheds were rested began to rot.

In conjunction with the Marine Corps League--a group of citizens and ladies from the shelter constructed a concrete pad upon which all the storage sheds will be placed to prevent the degredation issues encountered with wooden foundations.

The concrete was generously donated by American Concrete founder Billy Campbell.  Jesse Casey, D1 Field Rep, along with multiple community volunteers, completed the work to build out the form and finish the concrete work.

It is truly great to see so many assist with this worthwhile effort---and our area is better for the generous citizens who step up in multiple ways to support our local nonprofits like Honor HER.

Thanks to everyone who participated--and thanks to everyone who supports this worthwhile, effective cause!

Can We Answer the 40% Question First?

Dealing with the homeless issues in the county is an ongoing concern.

The city is dealing with issues arising from a growing population of the homeless or the "unhoused."  ("Unhoused people" is a term I am hearing a lot lately.  Maybe this is the new PC term we are all supposed to be using now?)

So the county has $4 Million in Federally-provided funds to help address the issue(s) surrounding homelessness.  And the county has discussed this on a number of occassions.

We'll be discussing it again this Thursday evening.  What do we do with the money, how do we distribute it to help with the issues and what does victory in dealing with this problem look like?

We settled last meeting on having staff bring a process for us to award nonprofits that work in this space individual allocations from this $4Million corpus of money.  Then progress can be tracked, multiple appropaches (and cash awards) can be made to vetted, fully licensed and documented legitimate 501(c)3's to assist families and individuals that are in need find what they need to once again become productive, normal members of civilized society.  So that part is good, and I look forward to supporting multiple approaches and organizations that have already rolled up their sleeves and proven they can assist with this issue in our community.  

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ESTIMATED UP TO 40% OF HOMELESS WHO DON'T WANT HELP?

My question to several who work in this space is simple, yet the concrete answers never come back.  But this question is just as important as the question about what we do for folks who are truly needy, down on their luck and want help to be once again productive and off the streets.

Whatever we do, I won't vote for anything that enables dysfunctional lifestyle choices (continued addiction, street crime, drug abuse, vandalism, trespassing, littering, etc.).  And therein lies the problem.

I'm told up to 40% of these "unhoused persons" are quite content where they are and doing what they do.

Unfathomable as it may seem, yes, it is true.  These folks, this up to 40%, do not want to give up the drugs and booze, they want to panhandle, they will continue to steal, litter, or do dysfunctional things like attack other unhoused persons or run around with their genetalia hanging out of their clothes, defecating in public, starting fires in their campgrounds (that subsequently get out of control) or dumping shopping cart loads of feces in bags in peoples' yards.

So yes, we can all agree to sing Kumbaya and help the majority that truly want help and want to break the cycle of their situation(s).

But as a commissioner serving compassionate citizens who care about communities and neighborhoods and safety----helping folks cannot also require that we tolerate dysfunctional destructive behavior that erodes the quality of life for citizens, children, neighborhoods, and communities that want to be clean, safe, and crime and dysfunction free.

So we need to know what we are going to do to help the 60% AND how to deal with the 40%

Can we answer the 40% question first, please?