The city’s failure to effectively respond to encampments made headlines again in September. Shootings at or near two southside encampments on E. Lake St., one at Stevens and the other at 27th Ave., resulted in 13 people being shot and injured. One of them, Jacina Oakgrove, died from her injuries a few days later.
The responses from city officials were predictable and divided. Some council members called for a new and more compassionate approach to group camping, while the mayor and police chief remained focused on the more punitive approach of forced closure they have relied on for the past few years.
Mayor Frey said, “This is tragic. It’s horrible. It’s unacceptable, and, sadly, it’s not surprising.” Why then, some wondered, wasn’t it prevented?…