LANSING, Mich — Blue Bell neighbors and members of the Robinson Memorial Church gathered Monday afternoon for what they say was anything but a routine neighborhood meeting. Instead, it was a collective call for action over a longstanding encampment in the woods behind their homes that they say has reached a breaking point.
- Blue Bell neighbors and Robinson Memorial Church members came together to demand action on a decade-old encampment behind their homes, citing growing safety concerns.
- Neighbors say multiple fires, most recently on March 22, have made the situation “intolerable” and caused nearby damage.
- Homeowners and property owner, RMC Pastor Michael West, are calling on city officials to enforce trespassing and public safety laws with a clear, actionable plan.
- Advocacy groups support finding solutions, emphasizing cleanup efforts that respect the dignity of people living in the encampment.
WATCH: “Final Straw”: Blue Bell neighbors and Robinson Memorial Church members push for action after encampment fires
“This is not about homelessness,” said Mike Chaffee. “This is about recklessness, carelessness, and endangering not only themselves but the neighborhood.”
Homeowners described growing frustration as concerns over safety continue to escalate…