In a move that has been years in the making, the St. Louis government took decisive action on Thursday morning to dismantle a homeless encampment that had been a source of discomfort for local residents for the past three years.
The encampment, situated in a residential complex and home to a homeless couple, had been a cause of distress for homeowners in the vicinity.
Toni Figuerroa, a resident of the neighborhood, expressed her relief to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, stating, "It was an all-around hazard. Goodbye and good riddance." The encampment had been a thorn in the side of the community, and its removal was seen as a necessary step towards restoring peace and order.
Conner Kerrigan, spokesperson for Mayor Tishaura Jones, informed Fox News Digital that the city and its services had been attempting to assist the homeless couple for nearly a decade. "Previous relocation efforts have been unsuccessful," Kerrigan admitted. He further explained that the couple's occupied area had expanded over time, encroaching on public space. The lack of sanitation had escalated to a point where it was no longer habitable.
Kerrigan assured that the couple was receiving assistance from the city, although he refrained from divulging further details due to privacy concerns.
The city's inaction had led to a lawsuit in February, filed by residents Richard Baumhoff and Steven McClanahan. The plaintiffs accused St. Louis of failing to act despite their repeated pleas to the police and the city for a resolution. They claimed that law enforcement had washed their hands of the matter, pointing the finger at Mayor Jones, a Democrat.
W. Bevis Schock, the attorney representing Baumhoff and McClanahan, painted a vivid picture of the situation to Fox News Digital. "For three years, there have been two people living in a makeshift tent in front of their house," Schock said. He described the couple's desire to enjoy their front porch, a simple pleasure that had been marred by the presence of the encampment.
The plaintiffs' court petition alleged that the street squatters, referred to as "Doe and Roe" in legal documents, had become aggressive towards them and other people. The petition further claimed that the plaintiffs had stopped using their front porch and yard due to the offensive odors emanating from the tent, including the smell of excrement.
Schock detailed the unsanitary conditions of the encampment, stating, "These people aren't taking a shower every day. They have got garbage in their house. They see rats running around. They throw their litter outside their makeshift tent, including things like chicken bones, and that draws vermin."
The city's clean-up operation commenced at 9 a.m. on Thursday, with the fire department arriving two hours later to cleanse the sidewalk, as reported by local news outlets. This action marks a significant step towards addressing the city's homeless issue and restoring the peace and tranquility of the affected neighborhood.
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