Gino McCoy
In a significant move, the city of St. Louis has taken decisive steps to address the growing homeless encampment that has dominated the north side of the city’s government seat. Aides to Mayor Tishaura O. Jones made the announcement, citing escalating concerns about safety and increasing complaints from city employees. This decision marked the latest development in the ongoing saga of the encampment, which has witnessed both protest and growth in recent weeks. Over the past month, the encampment has evolved into a multifaceted challenge for the city.
It has served as a focal point for protests against city leadership, attracted new residents, and doubled in size to encompass more than 30 tents. However, it has also underscored the city’s enduring struggle to provide adequate shelter for its homeless population and contributed to the broader concerns of vacant buildings and crime in the downtown area. City officials, faced with these challenges, decided to address the encampment issue by enforcing a curfew law that effectively closes parks between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless individuals possess permits issued by the Board of Public Service or the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry. The decision was implemented at 10:01 p.m. on a Monday, leading to a somewhat chaotic standoff that eventually resulted in the clearing of the encampment.
The clearance operation, led by city outreach workers with the support of top mayoral aides and aldermen, aimed to provide residents with suitable alternatives, including shelter spaces and tiny homes. Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, who actively participated in the operation, emphasized the importance of placing people in housing, reflecting the city’s commitment to finding humane solutions.
For residents like Gino McCoy, who was living in the encampment with his pregnant wife and three dogs, this operation offered a lifeline. McCoy and his wife were provided one of the tiny homes, enabling them to retain one of their dogs, while the other two would be fostered temporarily. However, some have questioned the timing of this decision, which coincided with an upcoming Democratic National Committee (DNC) meeting in St. Louis from Thursday till Saturday in which Vice President Kamala Harris will attend.
Many believe that city officials used the encampment clearance as a photo opportunity to appear proactive. Mayor Tishaura Jones, however, clarified that the decision had no connection with the DNC meeting and was driven by the city’s genuine concern for public safety. The encampment’s presence has raised concerns among city residents and businesses, with issues of sanitation, safety, and the city’s image coming to the forefront. Tanner Tucker of the Downtown Neighborhood Association expressed relief that the encampment was being cleared, emphasizing the importance of providing services to the unhoused population. To address the ongoing homelessness crisis, the city has allocated funds, including more than a million dollars in ARPA funds to build 100 tiny homes and approximately 900 affordable housing units. These initiatives reflect a broader commitment to find long-term solutions for the unhoused.
While the city’s efforts have received praise from some quarters, it is evident that homelessness remains a complex and pervasive issue that demands continued attention and resources. As the encampment outside City Hall is cleared, many hope that this marks a step toward addressing the larger challenge of providing stable housing and support for those experiencing homelessness in St. Louis.
