The Brief
- St. Paul will begin closing homeless encampments, starting with Pig’s Eye Park on Aug. 5.
- City officials say they are investing $1 million to expand shelter beds and case management, but some community groups oppose the clearings still.
- It’s estimated that roughly 200 people are living in the camps slated for closure.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Outreach programs and homeless shelters are preparing as the City of St. Paul is set to begin clearing out encampments.
St. Paul closing encampments
What we know:
City officials say that the first in a series of encampment closures will take place at Pig’s Eye Park on Aug. 5, with additional sites closing “on a rolling basis.” The city made the announcement last month, and says the clearings are necessary for public safety.
St. Paul Police and Fire Departments have reported more than 800 calls for service to camps since July of last year. The city estimates about 200 people currently live in the encampments that are set to be cleared.…