“The Hill,” as it’s known, is a series of tattered tents that form a homeless camp behind the railroad tracks that run behind the plaza.
Here are some observations gleaned from the visit to “Tent City.”
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Churches and benevolent organizations are reaching out
Two people living in the homeless camp, Lillie Nelson and Doug Miller, said that churches and several organizations have been delivering blankets, clothes and food, especially during the brutal cold days that have marked this winter.
“They have helped very much,” Miller said.
What “Tent City” looks like
It is a series of tattered tents that form a homeless camp behind the railroad tracks that run behind the Hamilton Plaza. One resident of the camp pointed to a growing trash problem in the area and blamed it on kids who run through the area and “party and leave trash.” There is an area that is set up to build a fire and cook. It includes some well-organized elements involved in any community.
There are drugs and substance abuse issues
It is a problem, several of the camp residents say. “I see it out here and see the street walkers,” Miller said. He noted that mental health issues also are a problem, but that many in the camp look out for each other and try to get help for anybody who needs it.
Problems in the plaza
Some store owners have said that the growing number of homeless in the camp has called problems for retailers. There are issues, they say, with people using the bathroom in the parking lot and panhandling customers for money.
Residents in the camp acknowledged that there are some people who cause problems, but Nelson said that most of the people there don’t cause problems and just suffer from homelessness.
How to get involved to help the homeless
Various churches and organizations like the Salvation Army work with the homeless on a regular basis and Hamilton now has a task force that deals with the issue of homelessness.
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