St. Paul set to clear out Pig's Eye Park homeless encampment Wednesday morning
St. Paul residents weigh in as homeless encampments set to be cleared
The St. Paul City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday as the city prepares to clear a homeless encampment at Pig’s Eye Park this week. FOX 9's Emily Pofahl has more as public discussion got tense.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - City leaders and advocates are urging St. Paul officials to pause plans to clear homeless encampments, as the scheduled sweep in Pig’s Eye Park is set for Wednesday morning.
Advocates, outreach groups call for more time
What we know:
Homeless outreach groups and community members have gathered at City Hall since the announcement last month, expressing concern that the clearings could disrupt their ability to help people living in the park.
St. Paul begins homeless encampment clearings
St. Paul officials say they will begin clearing homeless encampments throughout the city this week beginning with Pig’s Eye Park on Wednesday.
Advocates outside and inside City Hall pleaded for a delay Tuesday. About 100 city faith leaders signed a letter asking for a 60-day pause, hoping to give more time to prepare resources for those affected.
The protest and calls for a pause are in direct response to Mayor Kaohly Her’s plan to begin clearing the encampments Wednesday at Pig’s Eye Park. Since the announcement, outreach groups say they’ve been scrambling to get people the help they need.
Community and faith leaders want to help more than 100 people living in the park get identification and cell phones, and they are also pushing to expand shelter capacity.
Ramsey County staff told commissioners Tuesday that with a 30 to 60-day pause, they could add more shelter beds and move additional case workers to the encampments.
'You're taking away their autonomy': Residents speak out against St. Paul encampment sweeps
Residents spoke out at a public hearing Tuesday against the City of St. Paul's planned closure of several homeless encampments.
"We believe that with 30 more days we would be able to secure at least the additional shelter beds," said Ling Becker, county manager.
Despite these efforts, those who have spoken with Mayor Her behind closed doors say a pause is unlikely.
City leaders and mayor’s response
What they're saying:
Council member Anika Bowie said, "As of this morning, I had a meeting with her, a one-on-one, asking her to put a stop to the sweep. Asking her for an extension, negotiating for more time so we can actualize some of these resources… she was not comfortable in granting that extension."
State Rep. Leigh Finke, who opposes the clearings, said she received a similar response from the mayor last week.
"It has felt to me like from my first meeting with the mayor and her team on this issue over a month ago, that the plan is the plan and it’s going to stay," said Finke.
The mayor has not appeared publicly since news broke last week of a sexual harassment investigation involving her. FOX 9 did reach out to the mayor’s office Tuesday, but did not receive a response.
Ramsey County is opening a temporary resource center near 11th and Cedar to help get people into shelter as the clearings are set to begin.
What's next:
The city’s plan is moving forward, with clearings scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The Source: FOX 9’s Emily Pofahl reported live from City Hall and spoke with city, county and community leaders.