BANGOR — Community members are speaking out against the looming closure of Bangor's homeless encampment.
“Those living in the encampment won’t disappear when you sweep them; they’re just pushed into even more precarious situations,” said Bangor resident Shane Boyes at a Bangor City Council meeting Monday.
The city plans to clear the site by the railroad tracks behind the Penobscot Plaza by Dec. 19, citing safety concerns.
According to City Manager Carollynn Lear, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has also reached out to the city with concerns about the encampment, specifically regarding reported waste and trash near the Penobscot River.
Additionally, the railroad company has contacted the city with concerns about people being close to the railroad tracks.
The city estimates there are 40-45 unhoused people currently staying at the encampment.
Last week, encampment residents told Spectrum News that they need more time.
On Monday, some members of the community said the timeline is unrealistic and that the city should spend more time on a plan for where residents will go.
“As you’ve seen in this room, there are a tremendous number of people and organizations,” said Luke Sekera-Flanders, a Bangor resident and public health community organizer at Needlepoint Sanctuary. “There’s tremendous energy. The people want to invest in a long-term solution to this problem. We’re here, we want to help, and we want to work with you. Give us that time, please.”
A resident of the encampment, who identified herself only as Gabby, also spoke against the closure during the meeting.
She argued that the railroad encampment provides the city’s unhoused with a community to rely on.
“Our community… we stick together. So, when there’s somebody overdosing, we’re going to know about it,” she said. “But when they’re out on the streets by themselves doing what they’re going to do, they could be dead and no one’s going to know about it.”
“The other day, we heard somebody yell ‘Narcan!’ from three tents down [and] we all came running,” she added.
The city has discussed multiple options for how to help encampment residents, including a sanctioned encampment.
However, no official plans for this have been made.
Some residents at Monday’s meeting spoke in favor of this idea.
“I am totally for a sanctioned encampment, whatever that looks like. Whether it’s long-term, short-term. We just need a solution now,” said Bangor resident Adam Baker. “You just can’t kick this can again and again, and I hope you reconsider.”
Others had a differing opinion.
“These are people who have often been traumatized by systems and institutions,” said Bangor resident Scott Pardy. “When you implement a sanctioned camp with a strict code of conduct, you are essentially creating another institution.”
The public pushback to the planned clearing comes just weeks after the city’s Homelessness Response Manager Jena Jones resigned. According to the city, her last day was Nov. 21.
Lear said that the city has an ongoing presence at the encampment and has been working with the unhoused residents there. She said some are seeking housing vouchers or have case managers.
“Right now, our public health department is working pretty regularly with the service providers that serve the residents of that space,” Lear told Spectrum News Tuesday.
She added that residents can utilize Bangor’s three overnight warming shelters during the nighttime hours.
The council will meet again next Monday to discuss the encampment.