PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Residents of the Lents neighborhood met with Portland police Tuesday night to discuss where homeless campers on the Springwater Corridor will go once the area is cleared on September 1.
Many neighbors say they’re worried the cleanup will push transients on the trail into the surrounding area.
“I think they’re going to move the troubles of the [Springwater Corridor] right into the heart of my neighborhood,” Lents resident Maximilian Hollie previously told KOIN 6 News.
Hollie’s concerns were reiterated at Tuesday’s meeting, where Portland Police Capt. Robert King addressed 3 possible solutions city leaders are looking into.
The first would be to allow transients to stay in local shelters long-term, Capt. King said. If that’s not a viable option, the city could establish managed campsites.
But the third option didn’t sit well with many neighbors and homeless people at the meeting.
“The third is the reality that we all live with now and are going to continue to,” Capt. King began. “And that is, there will be low-income camping throughout the city.”
Transients joined Lents residents at the meeting to let city leaders know they’re concerned about what’s to come once the Springwater Corridor sweep is complete.
“All we’re asking for is a place to live to call our own,” camper Tim Scott said.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.