Well, they have a new location. The neighborhood is up in arms, of course. And public officials are scrambling to figure out what they want to do. Here’s the story.
LEAVING EAST WASHINGTON AVE
By noon, almost everything except the burn barrel was off the site, except the garbage and the pallets, a couple people and miscellaneous odds and ends. Half the people left and arrived at the Lake View property on Saturday around 1:00. The rest joined them on Sunday.
MEETING THE NEIGHBORS
Soon after we started setting up, the neighbors started coming out to see what was going on. Some just came to look, others actually came to talk to us. Thank you! We quickly learned that we knew some of the neighbors who were supportive and helping out. Immediate concerns were about restrooms and fires. People were using the PDQ (open 24 hours) for a restroom and trying to buy something when they went in and we didn’t start a fire. The area we were in was recently mowed and there was very dry grass and if the sparks started flying in the very windy weather it would not have been good. So, we tried to address those two major issues. Of course, there are also neighbors who freaked out because their neighborhood is too fragile to have homeless people there (ahem, how many people do you think are living in Warner Park?! and perhaps right behind the hill?! And maybe even in the building at the top of the hill?!) and they were clearly afraid of homeless people (worried about crime and mental illness). Sigh . . .
One funny story, one of the biggest opponents in the Tenney Lapham Neighborhood was talking to one of the Occupiers the morning they were moving and wished them luck and said that he would miss them. Yes, that’s right. After getting to know people on the site and hearing their stories and concerns, he was no longer opposed.
WHY THIS LOCATION
One of the biggest issues the neighbors had was “why didn’t you contact us first”? Quite simple, if we ask, the answer is “no”. There is no legal place to go. We apologized to people, told them we understood their concerns and how suddenly this happened and asked them to contact their elected officials and help us find a legal place to be.
OFFICIAL VISITS
Friendly neighborhood officer! The first police officer to spot us came up and asked “what are we doing here, having a retreat of some sort?” No one really knew how to respond, and then her face lit up and said – “Oh, is this Occupy!” We said yes. She asked if she was the first to find us, asked us how long we had been there, looked at her watch and said that she had only been on duty about 45 minutes. She talked to us for a while, didn’t say anything about us having to leave or tickets or anything, and then left. Presumably reporting it to her supervisors.
The first evening we were visited by Alder Anita Weier. She was quite upset when she got there. We talked about why people were here and we apologized for not letting her know. We explained we can’t find a legal place to go, and we can’t find housing. By the time she left, I think she better understood the issues.
The following morning we were visited by a Park Ranger, his dog and one of the neighbors we had been talking to. The ranger told us we couldn’t camp there, but also said that he would not be giving us a ticket today. But maybe in the future. He told us we needed a permit to camp there and that we had to pay. We asked how we could apply to do that. He said that we couldn’t, camping is not allowed in that “park”. He explained that from time to time the boy scouts do winter camping in some parks, but they provide their own restrooms. He expressed concerns about where people were going to the restroom. We told him PDQ and other local businesses – but we buy something. We asked if we could move a porta-potty there since someone had offered to pay for one. He said no, we couldn’t. Then he expressed concern that we only have a fire in an approved area. We explained we did not have a fire. Asked about a permit, he said there were no approved fire rings so we couldn’t have one. (Except that the neighborhood just had an approved fire at Halloween)
The next visitor was Captain Cam McLay. One of the Occupiers ran into him taking pictures of the site. He was out of uniform. When I drove up he came over and talked. He said that for now they were not asking us to leave, that they would work with us like they did on E. Washington Ave. until they found a place for us to go. He gave us the warning about making sure that we used approved restrooms. We asked if we could get a porta-potty. He said no. He said we had to follow the laws and that they would be sending police officers to meet us and get to know us to build relationships. I let him know that many people never had a positive interaction with police and that they were impressed by our visit yesterday with the friendly officer.
Later, I wasn’t there, but they were visited by Marcia MacKenzie (Corporation Council – County Attorney) who came to explain that we couldn’t legally be there. Yeah, duh. There is no legal place to go. She apparently came to tell people that they were there illegally. Also, apparently she checked into it and said that the shelters were empty last night and people should have just gone there. (I don’t know if anyone explained to her that there is a 60 day limit and 365 days in a year.) Lynn Green, Director of Human Services was also with MacKenzie, but I didn’t hear much about what she had to say. I drove up with another load of items and they quickly jumped in the car without talking to me.
County Board Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein stopped by to say hello and check out the situation. She told me she is worried that they get a porta-potty there. Great idea! Can we do that? Please!
As I was leaving to go run some errands later, I spotted a park ranger and cop car with their lights on at the bottom of the hill. We walked back down there and it was Captain Cam McLay and 2 of his officers and the same ranger that had been there before. McLay came to tell us a few things. First of all, they would not be ticketing us for being in the “park” after 10:00 or for camping. But, they may have to enforce the parks rules at some point. He also reiterated that we had to follow the laws, and that we can’t pee outside, we will get tickets for that. (Hey, so, can we get a porta-potty. The answer is still no.) And he also let us know that the face of the people we should talk to is the City police department. They will be our main point of contact. He also wrote this update for the northside police update list.
Police North Current News
posted November 11, 2012 1:21 PMOccupy Northport…
Last night, approximately 15 people from the Occupy group set up camp on the property of Lake View Hill County Park, which is wholly located within the City of Madison. This site is clearly visible from Northport Drive. Representatives of the group indicate their intent is a peaceful one; to raise awareness of the needs of the homeless and to urge policy makers to find more permanent arrangements.
If any public safety / order issues were arise here, the issues will immediately impact on residents of the City of Madison. For this reason, officers of the Madison Police Department North District will take the lead on monitoring the activities of this group. At the present moment, the overnight presence of the group violates local ordinances, but presents no immediate public safety issues. We will be working with various stakeholder groups to find a reasonable resolution here. The Madison Police Department Policing 9-100 speaks to the issue of demonstrations and assemblies.
The Madison Police Department’s function is to protect citizens’ Constitutional rights to free speech, to demonstrate, and to disseminate information in a lawful and peaceful manner while protecting others’ rights to free movement, privacy and freedom from violence. The Department has an obligation to protect citizens’ rights while maintaining order, protecting property and ensuring safety. The Madison Police Department and its personnel will be completely impartial and employees will make no public statement which reflects personal opinion on the pertinent issues(s) while on duty.
In the short term, our role at this time is to maintain public order as this group exercise their first amendment rights. Decisions will be made in the near future regarding the status of this encampment. I will keep you updated.
Captain Cam McLay
North Police District Commander
Oh, and the media was there. Seems as tho our location is a bit of a challenge to them, perhaps we will get less visits from them since they have to walk quite a ways to get to us.
NOW WHAT?
We wait. And that is the worst part for most folks. Not knowing. That is what being homeless is all about. Waiting and worrying. Will I be approved for the housing I applied for? Will I get that job? When will my decision about social security get here? Will someone find me sleeping here tonight? etc. etc. etc. I asked for a meeting with Joe Parisi last Monday, and never got a response. We would have preferred to have worked this out in advance, not that he would have said yes, but at least we would have known his major concerns and issues.
MORE BAD INFORMATION
We need to figure out what is going on with the gap of information between the Mayor and the County Executive and the people at camp. Something is horribly awry. I sent info to the Mayor because I was concerned that he had bad information and based on the email below, the info County Executive Joe Parisi has is even worse!
Last night I spoke with a County staff person who called me on behalf of Joe Parisi. He did shared with me that the City and County have interviewed all the folks that were on E. Wash and have now moved to the hill and have offered them the services they need to get back on their feet and address the issues affecting their ability to get housing. The County staff person also told me that a local low-income housing agency has offered to provide housing too, but the “occupiers” turned it down. The County staff person said all they want is to camp in Madison and have a tent city here. So it seems that this is really is not a homeless issue, as options have been offered and rejected. Sadly, this is so unnecessary, people don’t need to be out in the rain, or freezing weather. to possibly become ill or die.
As to the issue of this being a result of the economy, again, my understanding is many of these folks had issues long before the economy dumped and this action is a way to get the City and County to allow them to have a tent city in Madison. I too am all for helping people get back on their feet and have worked with homelessness issues quite successfully in the past. I believe the City and County have acted in good faith to do find services and a solutions, but their efforts are being rejected and ridiculed by the “occupiers” and “advocates”. Now we must use more of our limited resources to deal with a problem that already has a solution.
I would suggest if you are interested in hearing about all the efforts to resolve this situation, contact Joe Parisi’s and Paul Soglin’s offices to hear what solutions they have offered before believing everything the “advocates” and the “occupiers” are telling you about it. There are hidden agendas here and we are the pawns.
Wow. This is so insulting and frustrating. People may have been refused services by the human services agencies, but none of them refused services. I sent Parisi and staff the info in this blog post. I also included this note at the end.
PLEASE do not assume these folks do not want housing. And PLEASE let us know if there is someone who is willing to work with the folks who Porchlight refuses to work with because they have been banned. And finally PLEASE do not say these people do not want services, they do. Please talk with them and find out their stories. They deserve to be treated with respect and like human beings. Can we set up a meeting to meet with you Joe? I requested one a week ago and had we met perhaps we would not be where we are.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING
Tonight 4 – 6 at the Human Services building will be a neighborhood listening session by Alder Anita Weier and County Board Supervisor Melissa Sargent.
Join County Supervisor Melissa Sargent and Alder Anita Weier
on Monday November 12th
at 1202 Northport Drive – Human Services Building – first floor
from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. (come for all or part)
to allow neighbors to share their thoughts on the encampment on Lakeview Hill
*** Share and Crosspost as you wish ***
While we realize this is short notice, if you cannot attend please e-mail both the County Supervisor and Alder by sending your thoughts / ideas / concerns to both:
district18@cityofmadison.com
Sargent@countyofdane.comThe listening session must end promptly at 6 p.m.
Thank you!
Melissa Sargent and Anita Weier
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
We need bus passes. Warm food from time to time is always good. Hot coffee generally welcome. Just stopping by and saying hello and letting people know you are interested in what is going on is good too.
Also, you can sign this petition.
It’s a very well written petition to the Mayor and County Executive.
If you are willing to pay for it I don’t know why they won’t let you bring a PortaPotty! Silly city officials. [rolls eyes]