Homeless forced to move
Julien Pfyffer
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: News
Although a State Police squad removed homeless shantytowns from beneath bridges in Back Bay last week, several homeless people have returned to the area, noting that they were not trying to disturb the neighborhood.
Last Thursday, the Massachusetts State Police and the State Department of Conservation and Recreation removed the homeless shantytowns under the Massachusetts Avenue bridge and at several other locations near Kenmore Square, all of which are state property.
Kara England, a State Police spokeswoman, said last week's removal arose from several complaints from local residents.
"The DCR received several complaints about behavior down there, including reports of harassments and sexual assaults," England said. "So with the DCR, the State Police developed a comprehensive plan due to these numerous complaints from the community."
England said State Police carried out the removal of the homeless squatters, aided by members of DCR; the Pine Street Inn, which provides shelters for homeless people; and a homeless advocate from the Boston Police Department.
According to state law, no overnight camping is allowed on public property.
"When the task force went down there, there were no homeless in the shantytowns," England said. "There was one homeless who was found under a tree, and the Pine Street Inn offered him a bed as they would have done if they had discovered anybody down there. The man accepted the bed at the Pine Street Inn."
Since last Thursday, England said some homeless people have returned, but the State Police will continue to enforce the regulation and remove everyone who tries to sleep in the area.
Ronnie, who declined to give his last name, said he had been homeless since 1977 and has lived in the shantytowns for several years. He was present when the State Police came to remove him and his companions last week.
"They came twice, last Thursday and last Sunday," Ronnie said. "They told us that they would arrest us for trespassing under those bridges, but they knew that we would come back anyway. You know, we are not here to bother or harass anyone. We just want to survive in peace."
Last Thursday, the Massachusetts State Police and the State Department of Conservation and Recreation removed the homeless shantytowns under the Massachusetts Avenue bridge and at several other locations near Kenmore Square, all of which are state property.
Kara England, a State Police spokeswoman, said last week's removal arose from several complaints from local residents.
"The DCR received several complaints about behavior down there, including reports of harassments and sexual assaults," England said. "So with the DCR, the State Police developed a comprehensive plan due to these numerous complaints from the community."
England said State Police carried out the removal of the homeless squatters, aided by members of DCR; the Pine Street Inn, which provides shelters for homeless people; and a homeless advocate from the Boston Police Department.
According to state law, no overnight camping is allowed on public property.
"When the task force went down there, there were no homeless in the shantytowns," England said. "There was one homeless who was found under a tree, and the Pine Street Inn offered him a bed as they would have done if they had discovered anybody down there. The man accepted the bed at the Pine Street Inn."
Since last Thursday, England said some homeless people have returned, but the State Police will continue to enforce the regulation and remove everyone who tries to sleep in the area.
Ronnie, who declined to give his last name, said he had been homeless since 1977 and has lived in the shantytowns for several years. He was present when the State Police came to remove him and his companions last week.
"They came twice, last Thursday and last Sunday," Ronnie said. "They told us that they would arrest us for trespassing under those bridges, but they knew that we would come back anyway. You know, we are not here to bother or harass anyone. We just want to survive in peace."