ACLU concerned about plans to evict members of homeless tent community
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is concerned residents of a homeless tent community near I-94 and Ann Arbor-Saline Road may soon be evicted, the ACLU said in a news release.
Michigan State Police troopers posted signs at “Camp Take Notice” on Tuesday, warning residents they must leave or risk being arrested for trespassing, the release said.
This photo shows an earlier home for Camp Take Notice.
“It’s no coincidence that police are threatening to arrest homeless people who have nowhere else to go ahead of President Obama’s visit to the University of Michigan,” ACLU of Michigan Staff Attorney Jessie Rossman said in a prepared statement.
“Rather than sweeping the ugly problem of homelessness under the rug, federal, state and local governments should work toward commonsense solutions to the problems facing Michigan’s poorest.”
Michigan State Police Lt. Wynonia Sturdivant said the enforcement action has nothing to do with Obama’s visit.
Sturdivant has been communicating with representatives of Camp Take Notice since last fall, she said, and has explained that it’s illegal for them to trespass on Michigan Department of Transportation property.
Lately, the group has been set up on MDOT property on the east side of Ann Arbor-Saline Road in a grove of trees adjacent to I-94 west, she said.
The camp is near the freeway, making it dangerous for campers and motorists, she said. In addition, citizens have complained people have been panhandling near the freeway, she said. No deadline for residents to move out has been set, she said, but "the matter will be addressed."
“We understand their cause. We understand their plight…But every citizen is expected to abide by the laws of the state of Michigan.”
Brian Nord, a spokesman for the group, said at 6 p.m. that a moving truck was on the way, and campers had been packing up their belongings. He said they didn't yet know where they were going to go.Â
Comments
Danielle Mack
Sat, May 8, 2010 : 2:03 p.m.
Lets look at this from an objectionable standpoint. Who do children have to look to for their NEEDS, money, toys, and such? Their parents who are looking out for them, and supplying all their NEEDS, cash for this and that, etc... If the kids want a skate park get parents to all contribute their own money out of pocket, and volunteer their time to work with the kids on the skate park. Then you have something that will not eat up tax dollars needed for other things and children get what is most important to them - time with their parents, and learning valuable work ethics. Now look at the homeless. Who looks out for their NEEDS? Most don't have parents to turn to, in fact most have no where to turn except to the government that has led the economy - with their jobs - down the tubes. Lets put the tax dollars these people put into the government hands to help them get their jobs back and have more people paying taxes to get us out of debt as a government. Then we can think about extravagant things to do with the money like a skate park for the kids, but not now and not in this economy.
Danielle Mack
Thu, May 6, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
Mr. Stucky I am both happy and sad to know you have never experienced homelessness for yourself. Sad because you can never truly know what it is like to struggle to find work and have to deal with people discriminating against you for employment based on your living situation while trying to get on your feet and back into the working world. That is a tough situation for anyone to deal with. I am happy for you on the other hand because you seem to be coming from a point in your life where apparently despite the economy you are not one paycheck away from being out there with them trying to find work, despite these stereotypes, and trying to find a place to sleep without having to worry about police harassment. Since you seem to be so well off, and want this skate park so badly, why don't you have some of your yard set aside for the kids and build the skate park yourself in your own yard.
Danielle Mack
Mon, May 3, 2010 : 9:58 a.m.
What sounds better $400,000.00 for a new skate park for kids, or 140,000 half fare bus passes for the homeless and low income people to get to job interviews, shopping, and important meetings, Health insurance for 400 homeless and low income people for a year or two through Washtenaw Health Plan, or to provide housing for 40 homeless in any of the lower income housing in Ann Arbor? Kids can skate the same way I did growing up - building their own half pipe, and ramps in their own driveways or their neighbors driveways. There is no need for them to have a skate park when there are more important life sustaining needs out there that could use that money more. Why not take that $400,000 and buy some land in Ann Arbor for Camp Take Notice to set up on? They need the money more than the kids do.
Brian Nord
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 5:32 p.m.
For more information and details about the camp location and history, please see www.tentcitymichigan.org or email missiona2@gmail.com. You will receive a prompt reply.
Brian Nord
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 4:29 p.m.
In response to Kris Kaul... Today the camp needs help cleaning up trash and removing it from the site. Consistently, the camp needs water (gallon jugs or larger) and tents. Also, it's time for us to challenge our current conceptions of the homeless population. Are they truly unemployable? Is it actually unreasonable to ask for space within city or county limits for a well- and self-regulated community? Has a person's trouble been all their own fault or all caused by external factors? I think you'll find the answer is more complex than many of us have previously appreciated. From another perspective, is it cheaper for our public safety agencies to enforce trespassing ordinances for people distributed throughout an area and caught in a cycle; or is it cheaper for them to work in coordination with a program that has potential to break that cycle? Ask some simple follow-up questions: does the current program prevent the panhandler from bothering you on the street? Does the current system use our taxpayer dollars wisely in punishing people and forcing them deeper into a rut? From the city to the nation, the ladder of resources for an individual to re-engage as a productive, positively contributing member of society... the set of supportive services for a person to help themselves out of homelessness... has severe holes that we all need to re-think.
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 4:14 p.m.
I don't see what's so "conservative" about saying that people don't have a right to just squat in any place they want to. I'm quite sure that if they were squatting in the middle of your "liberal" neighborhood then you wouldn't be so supportive either. I do want them to have a place to stay, but I don't see why it has to be right there. Howabout Domino's Farms? Plenty of land there. I'm sure the owners wouldn't have any problem with that since they're nice liberal folks.
calebpoirier
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 1:45 p.m.
Thank you to those who have choosen to wrestle with this very complex issue.
once_homeless
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 1:20 p.m.
I lived in a tent in the Upper Penninsula on and off for 3 years while getting my undergraduate degree. I couldn't afford housing, school, and food at the same time. I did move inside from January through April each year - this was the UP after all! FWIW, one of my majors was Criminal Justice. I remember spening the day "fasting" in my tent, wrapped in my sleeping bags, listening to the radio all day one Thanksgiving, because I no food, no money, and no-where to go (most students went home for the holiday.) I eventually went on to get an MBA from a top-5 technical MBA program. After graduation I was fast-tracked at a Fortune 5 company, made a good 6 figure income, and paid a lot of money in taxes - which I never objected to. I am glad if that money can help these folks at all. I see most of the comments here are relatively supportive, and I appreciate that. Don't be too quick too judge please. There are many, many decent people in any group, especially in these economic times.
Atticus F.
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 12:25 p.m.
I would like to see these people camping out on the property of anybody who would like to make homelessness a crime.
Atticus F.
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
What if some wealthy person was to come in and buy up all public property in michigan, and then deny you the right to access it?...would that be fair, or just? What if a group of the worlds wealtiest people decided they were going to buy up the access rights to all of the fresh water in Michigan, and then deny you and your family access to water?...would tha be fair or just? This is essentially whats happening to the poorest of the poor in our community. Good job ACLU, I'm proud to be a card carrying member. And I'm glad to see my donations put to good use!
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
I have a really hard time believing that they have absolutely nowhere else they can go. People don't have the "civil liberty" to just squat wherever they want. To all the people complaining about the eviction who also own homes, I propose that you let them camp out in your back yard. After all, it's a little hypocritical to complain about kicking them out of one area when you're not willing to supply your area either. Better yet, I think they should relocate to the ACLU's property or the back yards of the ACLU laywers.
anti-thug
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
Fast! hide all the homeless people! Mr Obama coming in for work today!
tracyann
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
Well, Mr. Stuckey, I certainly hope you never fall upon hard times. Just because one is homeless doesn't mean they brought it upon themselves. Many have lost everything due to the economy and downsizing, and even minimum wage jobs are not always easy to find. Getting rid of the camp does not get rid of the problem. Unfortunately, homelessness is not an easy problem to solve.
kk
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.
Brian, what can people do *today* to help? Food, tarps, labor,?
Brian N.
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 7:11 a.m.
In response to SMIAVE's comment: Unfortunately the shelter is indeed near capacity. There were/are between 10 and 20 citizens at camp, while (after calling the shelter yesterday) there are fewer than 5 open spots (Washtenaw County residents only) and these could become filled at any moment. Need far exceeds capacity, but that is not the whole story.
Brian N.
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 7:07 a.m.
in response to Bragg's Law's Comment: There are substantive constitutional arguments that MDOT is violating the 8th and 14th amendment rights of people who have no other recourse than to avail themselves of unused land. This violation has arguably criminalized homelessness. So, it remains unclear the breaking of which law poses a greater hardship on the public -- the homeless included in that public. Fundamentally, there is a disconnect between the various government-based agencies: one cuts funding, another harasses homeless people for finding a way to deal without that funding.
SMAIVE
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 6:56 a.m.
So what is happening with the shelter on Huron? Is it full? Were these individuals ineligible? I thought this was built with tax dollars and private donations to address the issue.
gamebuster
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 9:42 p.m.
I'm really sad as their living condition getting worse and worse. First, it's behind Arborland Mall. I spent a night there as kind of support when they're evicted. No electricity, big spiders, no bathroom, woke up every hour due to sound pollution from the nearby highway. Second, Ann Arbor-Saline rd, behind AppleBee restaurant parking lot. Of course, No water, electricity, bathroom. People even need to run across the freeway exit. If Michigan Department of Transportation said that it poses danger to campers or drivers. I can honestly say that the third spot is the WORST. Today, they moved to the intersection spot of Jackson rd and Wagner rd. I had to walk along the narrow sidewalk while cars speeding beside me, huge container-truck sped under the bridge. I was scared. Drop down on the right or hit by car on the left. Worse still, I needed to take off my high heel shoes ( two inches) as there's a steep slope leading down to the spot. Forgive me as I honestly say that the spot is a garbage box. I guess they need lots of time to clean up. I'm very sad today. Why do we let people live like that? There's a meeting of Council for Disabilities Concern this coming Wednesday. It's great if people can work on the issue of "Priority Housing" or "Emergency Housing" for them. It's too difficult for them to get back on their feet. Thinking of climbing up that slope to get shower and meals at shelter and take long bus ride back everyday. What's the quality of life?
braggslaw
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 9:19 p.m.
I am torn on this issue. They have nowhere to go yet they are breaking the law. In some ways I wish nobody knew they existed so they would be left alone.
LuAnne Bullington
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 9:07 p.m.
ACLU Alarmed By Threats to Arrest Homeless People in Ann Arbor FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2010 CONTACT: Jessie Rossman, ACLU of Michigan staff attorney at 313.578.6823 ANN ARBOR, MICH. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is gravely concerned by plans to evict about 20 residents of the local homeless encampment Camp Take Notice from public land near Interstate I-94 and Ann Arbor-Saline Road. The Michigan State Police posted signs in the encampment yesterday warning residents that they must leave or risk being arrested for trespassing. Its no coincidence that police are threatening to arrest homeless people who have nowhere else to go ahead of President Obamas visit to the University of Michigan, said Jessie Rossman, ACLU of Michigan Staff Attorney. Rather than sweeping the ugly problem of homelessness under the rug, federal, state and local governments should work toward commonsense solutions to the problems facing Michigans poorest. Yesterday afternoon, the Michigan State Police posted No Trespassing notices throughout the camp. According to the notice, the Michigan Department of Transportation, which owns the property, asked law enforcement officials to enforce the trespassing laws. In addition, the notice states that continuing to occupy this area without lawful authority or permission is a crime, and may result in your arrest and prosecution. The notice instructs homeless individuals to remove their property immediately. Camp Take Notice is one of at least three tent communities in and around Ann Arbor. It was established to provide a safe, sober and drug-free environment with food and shelter for individuals and has strict rules prohibiting panhandling in the vicinity of the campsite. It is not a crime to be homeless in Michigan, said Rossman. There is perhaps no punishment more cruel than arresting individuals for something that is out of their control. As long as the economic crisis and resource shortages persist, there will continue to be people who have no choice but to live on the streets throughout Michigan. In December, the ACLU of Michigan filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf Caleb Poirier, a member of Camp Take Notice who was arrested for trespassing after admitting to police that he lived in the camp. Charges against Caleb were later dismissed. In its brief, the ACLU of Michigan explained that when a city does not provide sufficient shelter to house the homeless, it cannot then punish the homeless for not having anywhere else to go. According to homeless advocates in Washtenaw County, between 2007 and 2008, there was a 30 percent increase in homelessness amongst families and individuals. In addition, the ACLU warned that punishing harmless life-sustaining conduct, such as sleeping in public, constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under the U.S. and Michigan Constitutions. To read the friend of the court brief, go to: http://www.aclumich.org/sites/default/files/file/Porier%20Amicus.pdf To see a photo of the MSP notice, go to: http://aclumich.org/sites/default/files/image/MSPNotice.JPG Rana Elmir Communications Director ACLU of Michigan 2966 Woodward Ave Detroit, MI 48201 313.578.6816 (f)313.578.6811 www.aclumich.org
LuAnne Bullington
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 8:46 p.m.
Thank you Strunny for sending your message to the White House. The Camp Take Notice Facebook page posted this earlier: "Camp Take Noctice Just in... 7:47pm... the sheriff is allowing camp to stay at it's new location after it's eviction this afternoon for a one week trial. Channel 7 news crew is on site."
strunny
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 8:26 p.m.
I submitted this to whitehouse.gov earlier today, and left a message with the White House Office of Political Affairs. I told the woman who initially answered the phones that if there is any way President Obama or his staff could be given the message, that it relates to the Commencement visit this weekend... yeah not expecting anything, but I did what I could. Hello, I'm writing regarding President Obama's upcoming visit to Ann Arbor this Saturday to deliver the commencement speech at U of M and a local issue I believe he should be made aware of; if he knew, he would care and have something to say, I believe. There has been an ongoing issue of homelessness in Ann Arbor (and everywhere of course) that has gotten quite a bit worse in the last year, and one situation is coming to a head literally right now partially because of his visit. Camp Take Notice, the name of a local homeless camp, (tentcitymichigan.org) is a small group of people who camp together in Ann Arbor, and are drug and alcohol free. They are run/governed by a nonprofit, MISSION (also info at the site above). Brian Nord is their spokesperson. CTN is currently working with area churches to hopefully get hosted on a 3-month rotation much like the tent cities in Seattle operate, but this is still being worked out. Meanwhile, they've been evicted a few times from state property, which is where they've had to end up camping. They are being evicted as I write this and are just moving across town to a location that's not as good in terms of access to public transportation and public bathrooms. There is a serious problem of not enough room in the Ann Arbor shelters and not enough low-income housing as well (long wait list too), which is confirmed even by the shelter/local government themselves. So these campers are in a Catch-22 situation. They have to move, even though right now they aren't too near businesses, not near any residential homes, and have been there since last fall -- and the reason this is happening now is at least partially because of the President's upcoming visit (it looks bad to have a homeless camp, even though it is out of sight). If there's anything the President can do, to give them more time or help in any way, I know I and other concerned people in the Ann Arbor area would appreciate it. Thank you so much for your time.
The Picker
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 7:34 p.m.
The dorms will be empty soon!
Matt Cooper
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 7:01 p.m.
And yet the best thing the county can think of to do withy $400,000 is to build a skate park in Veterans Park. I bet that $400,000 could better be spent finding ways to house these people. But you know, those skaters are just so much more important
treetowncartel
Wed, Apr 28, 2010 : 5:18 p.m.
I agree Adam, surely there is some land for them somewhere. Maybe when the underground structure is done the top of it could be allocated to them. At least these folks have the weather working in their favor, it has to be tough to get by like that during the winter months.