A group of about 25 unhoused people have only a few more days to clear out an encampment site in Lancaster, at the same time the number of shelter beds available in the city has dropped.
Lancaster city officials gave the group living in a wooded area by a shopping center off the 700 block of New Holland Avenue, not far from Route 30 and a tributary of the Conestoga River, until Monday to leave the site. Todd Grager, the city police department’s community engagement lieutenant, said the department has received complaints about an “increase in activity” on the property, which belongs to a private owner.
“We’re not out to go after folks that are unhoused,” Grager said. “It’s essentially having that day as a deadline but understanding that other circumstances could come into play (that could prevent someone from leaving). Each circumstance is a case-by-case basis. We communicated very clearly that we don’t want to cite anyone or arrest anyone.”…