Parents in Homewood are calling for immediate action from city officials following a series of alarming incidents involving homeless individuals. A proposed ordinance to address homeless encampments failed to pass on its first reading. Residents have reported a flasher confronting a driver downtown, an alleged sex offender bathing in a local creek, three fires at homeless encampments, and a man experiencing a mental breakdown in Central Park.
Nate Vandeveer, a local homeowner, expressed frustration over the escalating issues, saying he and others witnessed a homeless man in Central Park acting erratically. “He was defecating in the kid playground area having a complete mental breakdown and come apart where we have to call the non-emergency line. He’s screaming running down the road.”
Homeowners are advocating for a new law that would grant police more authority to manage homeless encampments and individuals sleeping in cars on public property. Incoming Mayor Jennifer Andress acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, “We’re trying to thread the needle here; it’s been a very delicate operation.” Carlos Aleman echoed this sentiment, describing the issue as “extremely complicated.”…