Fargo starts enforcing ban on homeless camps
Two weeks after city commissioners passed an ordinance banning camping on city property, Fargo police have started implementing the measure. While the camping ban officially went on the books, commissioners also passed a confusing resolution temporarily allowing sleeping outdoors on public property with restrictions, due to the high number of homeless individuals in Fargo.
Despite the mixed message, police officers have begun razing several temporary encampments along the Red River, an area that the Forum points out remains a popular site for vagrants and homeless individuals.
It started just before 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, with Fargo Police officers walking and driving through the areas along the Red River where camps are now considered illegal, such as under the First Avenue bridge. No arrests were made, police said.
Gabriel Montgomery had been living under the bridge for about three months. Now, he’s searching for a new place to call home.
“I probably am going to go to the other bridge. Or hide behind trees, out of cover so not to be a problem and disturb the civilians, which I never did, never planned on it,” Montgomery said.
Word of their impending eviction had already spread in the last couple of weeks among many residents of the homeless encampments. While it may not have been a surprise, some expressed skepticism over how the so-called ban will play out.
Montgomery said he was planning some kind of protest when the police came, but decided he didn’t want to risk being arrested and couldn’t afford to be fined. He doesn’t believe the camping ban will help anyone, because the people who were living there still exist and need to stay somewhere.
“This freedom and justice you’re delivering is more just a facade. Keep it out of the nose and away from the people, because we’re right next to the walkway, everybody and anybody sees us. Doing this, we’re just going somewhere else,” Montgomery said.
No arrests or fines were reported after the operation got underway. But local homeless shelters can’t keep up with demand.
Even more are stopping by the shelter at 1902 3rd Ave. N. in Fargo asking for help. However, their shelter is still at max capacity. All 148 beds are full, meaning they have to turn people away or add them to their waiting list.
“We’re unable to help them. And it is heartbreaking, to say to someone, ‘I’m sorry, we can’t help you.’ It’s one thing to do it when it’s 70 degrees out; we know what’s coming,” [New Life Center Executive Director Rob] Swiers said.
In the meantime, homeless individuals who take advantage of the resolution allowing them to temporarily camp on city property face several restrictions. No more than three people in each camp, no camps within 100 feet of city buildings and bridges, a 30 foot buffer zone from public pathways, as well as 100 feet from city parks and 15 feet from the Red River. Violators face the risk of arrest and an up to $1,000 fine.