- Asia Tabb
aired; June 29, 2026
The City of York’s recent “compassionate clearout” of the homeless encampment at Bantz Park sparked an important conversation on The Spark about homelessness, public safety, and the complex realities facing people without stable housing. Host Asia Tabb was joined by York Daily Record columnist Michael Argento, Friends & Neighbors of PA Executive Director Crystal Perry, and LifePath Christian Ministries CEO Patrick Ball to discuss what led to the city’s decision and what comes next for those who once called the encampment home.
Argento explained that while people had camped in the area for years, the encampment grew significantly after seasonal emergency shelter services ended this spring. He described residents living in tents and makeshift shelters with limited access to basic necessities like laundry and sanitation. “It was very, very rustic,” Argento said. “People were living in tents… some had fire pits, some had salvaged grills, and many simply didn’t have anywhere to wash their clothes.”…