CHICAGO — A homeless encampment on Chicago’s Northwest Side is back in the spotlight after a Tuesday morning fire raised questions at a City Council budget meeting.
For months, locals who live near Gompers Park have stressed their concerns over safety issues that come with a homeless encampment.
City, some residents at odds over future of homeless encampments
WGN Investigates previously reported on Gompers Park data, which indicated a 33% rise in crime in the first eight months of the year compared to last. Monday night’s fire became the latest issue, prompting the blaze to be the city of discussion at Tuesday’s budget committee meeting.
Gompers Park sits in Ald. Samantha Nugent’s 39 th Ward.
“I’m trying to get answers to a community (as to why) they are dealing with these types of situations every day. This is the second fire I’ve had in Gompers Park in 72 hours and the third within a month. We need help,” Nugent said.
Nugent said that over the last year, tents sheltering unhoused people have popped up at the park, and fire calls have risen with them.