Homeless Camp Refuges Cringe as Eviction Rumors Swirl

Rosie, an elderly woman who is a semi-permanent resident of the camp told us that she witnesses vehicles pull up to the outskirts after the sun sets and dump small loads of trash, full garbage bags, clothing, furniture, and electronics which exacerbates the problem and furthers the perception that the camp residents are responsible for growing trash piles. Rosie expressed her frustration over the matter, explaining that residents have constantly worked to decrease trash and debris piles around and throughout the camp by organizing crews to work in shifts. She said, 

"We never get anywhere though because people continue to use our camp like a city dump. They know they can get away with it since people are unaware of this problem and automatically place the blame on us. They know people will just blame us and call us dirty, filthy, and uncivilized. It's just not true. We might not live in fancy homes but these little shanties are our homes. They are personal spaces that provide some privacy and allow us to maintain some freaking human dignity. Is that too much to ask for? We do take pride in our personal spaces. Have some damn respect!"

Camp residents claimed all were committed to accepting responsibility for improving their living conditions which they hope will alleviate tension with the City and its citizens. The unexpected clean-up has spurred curiosity and unfortunately sparked harmful rumors igniting discord among residents who have become keen on a potential shutdown forthcoming. 

The 14th Street Homeless camp has become a temporary "safe haven" for many semi-permanent residents who claimed each places tremendous value on community support, while also providing a much-needed reprieve from the constant relocation from streets, bridges, and highways perpetuating a relentless state of hopelessness.

During the most recent visit to the 14th Street Homeless Camp, A long-term resident named Lalo was identified as the main enforcer/leader after a deeper investigation into its hierarchy. Lalo is a U.S. Army Veteran who served during multiple deployments including in Iraq for "Operation Iraqi Freedom"  during the 2000s. Lalo said he has witnessed plenty of action while abroad and has experienced extremely horrifying circumstances, which contributed to Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD), according to him. His official PTSD diagnosis is currently unknown, however.

Lalo openly admitted that the war negatively impacted him in multiple ways and was a primary contributing factor to his homeless situation and condition. Although he battles PTSD, Lalo possesses extremely acute social intelligence and self-awareness. Additionally, Lalo's presumed intelligence level was astounding to us as we investigated his living situation inside the camp. The Army Vet built a three-story fortress reminiscent of a castle that is centrally and strategically located within the camp's heart. As the primary enforcer, Lalo explained his role and informed us of his primary goal for the camp.

"I have lived in this camp for four years now. I don't want to live in a normal society. I don't care what people think about me. I want to be off the grid. I am choosing to live here for personal reasons that I'd rather not discuss yet. As the main enforcer, I try to reduce nonsense, violence, and discord among residents and promote community involvement, communication, and organization to maintain order and cohesiveness between our people. We might occasionally play mind games with each other, but at the end of the day we stick together. If an outsider comes against us I can guarantee you we can put our petty differences aside and take care of business as a unit. The whole is more important than its individual parts. We are always ready," he said.

Lalo has become the primary contact for us within the camp and he has started to take down his emotional barriors and allow us into his world through consistent contact and involvement. The established rapport has fostered a relationship and crucial point of contact. We asked Lalo if he wants the homeless camp to remain.

"Hell yeah, we want to stay here bro! Think about it. Where else is there for us to go? Many of us don't have family or friends or anywhere to go. We can't stay on public property like under bridges because they'll just move us. At least at the camp, we are out of public view and we have a strong community and family and we aren't out causing problems and committing crimes. This is our home for now and we do care about it," he answered. 

But if Lalo and company were forced off the land, he continued, "I can promise you this bro, there's going to be hell to pay, certain individuals will become violent and there will be trouble throughout the streets."

Lalo claimed that if the 14th Street Homeless Camp was dissolved, it will force long-term residents to disburse throughout the city, on the streets, under the bridges, and on the sides of buildings. The visibility of homelessness will worsen. Proponents of having the homeless camp remain claimed this will require additional funding, resources, and creative thinking and demand more complicated resolutions.