TRAVERSE CITY — A date has been set for when people will be forced to leave the homeless encampment on Eleventh and Division Street, also known as The Pines.
Traverse City’s no camping ordinance explicitly says no one can camp in any park. Anyone who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.
The Traverse City Police Department sent out a press release this morning stating they will be enforcing Traverse City’s no camping ordinance at midnight on May 6.
“Somebody could be arrested for this. But we try to do everything we can to help the situation,” TCPD Chief Matt Richmond said. “Once that date has passed and we start enforcing our camping ordinance, we’re still going to go back there.”
Since the fall of 2024, TCPD’s Quick Response Team has been informing people living in The Pines that there would be an end date. An officer was assigned to the pines and has formed a relationship with the people living there. Chief Matt Richmond said building trust opens the door for people to accept help.
“That’s our ultimate goal is to help people,” he said. “If we can do that, you know, without writing a ticket or taking to some of the jail, that’s the preferred method that we want to do.”
The Quick Response Team helps people who are experiencing addiction or homelessness. Since the Fall of 2022, they have had 225 people participate in the program and have more than 60 community partners.
Jennifer Holm, Social Worker for the Traverse City Police Department, said the goal is to bring people to the resources they need.
“We’re not trying to sort of force people out of our community,” Holm said. “We’re trying to get them the resources they need to move on to the next chapter to get connected with, whether that’s shelter or a good housing opportunity. But get to the root of the problem.”
There will be a public hearing on May 5, which will possibly amend a special land use permit making Safe Harbor a Year-Round Emergency Shelter. This played a role in why TCPD chose May 6th as the end date for the pines.
“You know, having everybody know that shelter is available year-round. Helps them decide on what we can and cannot do. It helps our service providers determine plans for those individuals,” Chief Matt Richmond said.“But in reality, if for whatever reason that slop doesn’t get approved, then we’re back to where we are today. And that’s unfortunate, but that’s reality.”
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