Leader of 'Camp Take Notice' arrested a second time
The tents are still up at Camp Take Notice, but members of the camp know that their days in a field at the Ann Arbor-Saline park-and-ride lot are numbered, with regular police visits and the second arrest of their leader late Friday.
Said Brian Nord, a Camp Take Notice supporter: "We kept the tents up to let (potential campers) know that the site is still safe."
Camp Take Notice's leader, Caleb Poirier, was arrested for trespassing -- again by State Police -- around midnight. Both Ann Arbor police and State police have been paying visits to the site since Wednesday, when Poirier was first arrested by State Police for trespassing and vagrancy. He was released after his first arrest.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office said that Poirier would be released this afternoon, once his fingerprints are taken. Poirier was not arraigned.
Michigan State Police could not be reached for comment today.
Nord said that if campers are evicted from their current location, the camp has its eye on other sites near city bus lines. He said the concern is that eviction could force campers to disperse, leaving them to fend for themselves in uncertain and unfamiliar settings. Nord said that any decision to move would have to be made by the camp as a whole.
Friday night, several members of the camp pooled their money and got a room at the Victory Inn. Camp supporters have been manning the site around the clock, sleeping in their cars, ready to pack up the site in the event that campers are evicted.
Lily Au, a supporter of Camp Take Notice, said she planned to go to the Robert J. Delonis homeless shelter on West Huron Street at to rustle up Poirier's friends and supporters for a protest at 4 p.m. on Main Street, according to an e-mail from the camp. Seth Best, another supporter, planned to stage a small protest of his own near Michigan Stadium.
The message, as explained by former camper and current supporter Hunter Roberts: "They're arresting people for being homeless."
James David Dickson reports on human interest stories for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at JamesDickson@AnnArbor.com, or (734) 623-2532.
Comments
gamebuster
Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 10:11 a.m.
To be fair, the pushing by AA police happened in Tuesday afternoon but not Friday.
gamebuster
Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 10:06 a.m.
Jackietreehorn, Were you there that night? Did you know that one of our board member even got pushed by AA police. He had to say "Please don't touch me!" Were you there? Have you ever experienced the police officer told you "I remember you said you could allow people build tent in your backyard, tonight bring this guy to your house?" Then the police took away his guitar. I don't say that all officer are rude. Some are very nice, for example "Elizabeth" she doesn't have prejudice first against homeless and doesn't criminalize them. I wish I had a video camera to show how part of the officers look like. Of course, it's not right, absolutely illegal to build tents there. I apologize for that. But, where can they go? Shelter only get 60 beds, 3 mons permit.The issue is no place to sleep. I politely asked State Police. Where can we go? He said, "I can't answer you."
Jackietreehorn
Tue, Sep 8, 2009 : 12:47 a.m.
gamebuster Try again. The individuals at that sight have not been threatened by the State Police, nor will they. They have been respectfully given notice and explained their options. If you ignore the warnings, an eventual arrest shouldn't suprise anyone. Important to note that these are the same type of arrests that potential employers shy away from during the job application process. That is, if anyone is interested in that type of thing. Setting up camp in this spot is unsafe, illegal, and bad policy. No one should have been expecting a warm welcome or a long stay. I'm sure the State Police enjoy wasting their limited time and resources being used in a pointless effort to advance someone's agenda.
Ryan Munson
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 10:32 p.m.
Judgmental is right! The first three posters on here have no idea as it appears. Clara, that's pretty unfortunate you have tunnel vision with comments posted in this story. I know someone who spends a lot of time at the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. I'd like to challenge anyone with judgmental comments to volunteer with the homeless. It's so easy to have a roof over our head, isn't it?
gamebuster
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 1:10 p.m.
Please google "Camp Take Notice" and check out our board. Half of the board are homefull people, even with PHD to fend for the weakest in our community. All the technology there, cameras, computers, cars....are to guarantee that the homeless are being treated in a fair way in our community. Do you know that they threatened people out of camp in 11:55 all in the dark and no pictures allowed. It happened that half of our board members staying at camp for several nights in case something unexpected happened. Do you know that Wednesday, they arrested Caleb Poirier, the State Police even didn't have warrant? The late night Friday's arrest, the trooper felt surprised as the homeless are being supported by a strong educated group. Everyone, please spending longer time to study this issue before judging. Of course, in every community, we can find members disappointing us. However, there are sure some people amazing us. The combination of homeless community : around 25% veteran, 20-25% immature mental illness patients, we can also find working poor there (wages not enough to pay rents), runaway from violent families, sexually assaulted families, chronic disease patients, unemployed people, foreclosures, people who experience sudden disaster in life....some are just temporary homeless, 6 months or up to 2 years, most strive very hard to get their feet on ground. For those homeless with illness, we pray to God for mercy and grace to heal them first. Though they're ill, many of their hearts are filled with peace as many believers there. So, I'd like people spending time with them first. It's true that "Hotel Expenses" are from homefull friends. Board members are not rich, but under such situation, we could offer $45 for several homeless to spend a night at Victory Inn. Is it too luxurious? It's also true that homefull board members take homeless people home in certain occasion, for example, after a lung cancer operation. You're welcome to google "Camp Take Notice" to know us more. We've lots of love and tears there. many people wonder why homeless people have cell-phone, most are from the state 60 minutes per month, in case, case managers could contact them when needed. Most homeless are broke, the way to get money is "Canning"...picking empty cans to exchange for money. For those homeless with sickness, they've $200 food stamp, that's it. Do you think that they can easily find a job because of being ill. Have you ever heard "Schizophrenia, Manic depression, Bi-Polar"???? Those are even inherited from families. Please show some sympathy as we're having a roof above us.
Robin Rich
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 10:20 a.m.
Clara et al., The people sleeping in cars were their "homefull" friends, the resources pooled for the hotel room were from their "homefull" friends and I have 2 people and their dog living with me. Try not to be so judgemental and have a little more compassion yourself.
Alan Goldsmith
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 5:31 a.m.
The State Police were not a part of the furlough.
barks74
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 3:26 a.m.
"TAKE NOTICE" Bums are tryimg to get a free ride! Thank you PORT!!!
barks74
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 3:26 a.m.
"TAKE NOTICE" Bums are tryimg to get a free ride! Thank you PORT!!!
barks74
Sun, Sep 6, 2009 : 1:02 a.m.
Victory inn has a swimming pool. It is the ideal place for someone who is "suffering from homelessness" to hang out!!!
clara
Sat, Sep 5, 2009 : 3:33 p.m.
"fend for themselves in uncertain and unfamiliar settings" What, they are not from Ann Arbor? They just like camping here? "got a room at the Victory Inn." So they have a source of income but don't want to rent? "sleeping in their cars" They have cars!?!?! I don't even have a car, I take the bus. But I pay my rent to have a roof over my head. "They're arresting people for being homeless." No they are arresting them for trespassing. Protesters, instead of having a protest, why not invite them to live in your house/apartment? "Michigan State Police could not be reached for comment today." Ah those furlough days from the governor!