Enforcement plan uncertain as eviction deadline nears at Camp Take Notice
Camp Take Notice resident Jimmy Hill takes a break on a stack of plastic milk crates and underneath a larger American flag erected by a fellow resident and veteran at the camp, on Wednesday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Deputies from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office toured the camp, on Michigan Department of Transportation-owned land, this morning to make sure residents were making plans to leave, said camperJackie Starkey.
Although the MDOT issued an order May 30 that the campers needed to evacuate the area by Friday, the exact time the enforcement will occur remains uncertain.
As the land is owned by the state, the Michigan State Police will be enforcing MDOT's order for the campers to leave. The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office will be assisting MSP.
Derrick Jackson, public information officer for the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, said there was no official time set for when people will be arrested for not leaving the camp.
Starkey said it was her understanding that anyone remaining in the camp as of 12:01 a.m. Friday would be arrested.
Case managers from the Delonis Center were on site at the camp this morning to assist residents in finding places to stay, Starkey said. MDOT and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority are working on a housing program that provides camp residents with one year's rent, of which some residents have taken advantage.
A “Root for the Underdog” rally is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday for supporters of the camp as a farewell party and to oppose the eviction.
“The MDOT highway median on which Camp Take Notice residents now reside has never been used; there are no future plans to use it. Nevertheless, MDOT is spending large sums of tax dollars to erect an eight-foot fence around this public parcel, to ensure homeless citizens can never again take refuge there,” said Peggy Lynch in a news release.
Lynch is the co-president of MISSION, an Ann Arbor-based nonprofit organization that supports the camp.
Camp Take Notice is just outside the western city limits of Ann Arbor between Interstate 94 and M-14; west of Wagner Road, north of Jackson Road and south of Dexter-Ann Arbor Road.
The camp has previously been evicted from other locations.
In a rally last Thursday at St. Mary's Student Parish in Ann Arbor, 30 area churches came together to support the homeless encampment residents.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
leaguebus
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 12:10 a.m.
I guess all those happy with getting rid of the camp will be happier with the Farm Bill. It's cutting a ton out of food stamps while giving billions to big Agribusiness.
Rudedog
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 9:56 p.m.
Maybe the group called MISSION needs to stop talking and maybe doing something for these people. The people at CTN also need to pick themselves up and turn their lives around and stop waiting for a hand-out. It will be so nice knowing that by tomorrow these people will be gone! I wish them good luck.
lynel
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.
I thought the MDOT had erected a fence. How will the residents of CTN get out?
Ann English
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 1:51 a.m.
The fence isn't finished yet. I don't expect it to be all finished tomorrow morning, but still, you can compare the fence going up and the CTN residents leaving to people inside a building with only one door and no windows, and the door is slowly automatically closing. The people inside have to hurry to get out before it closes completely. CTN residents have to hurry to get out of the median before they're not trapped, but arrested for trespassing.
jns131
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 1:27 a.m.
Now there is a thought provoking incident if I ever heard one. Good question.
djm12652
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.
Perhaps Ms Lynch would be willing to transfer the tent encampment to her home where only her tax dollars come into play.
Atticus F.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
And perhaps, since I have no children and am against the war in Afghanistan, I could choose for my taxes not to go to that... Oh wait, choosing what causes I give to is called charity. I guess some folks need to learn the difference between paying taxes, and making a charitable donation. To me it's pretty clear though.
Matt
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
Bye Bye Camp Take Advantage...............of the tax payers! Take your year of free rent and get your life together. Maybe you can become a functional part of society!
leaguebus
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 12:04 a.m.
I am a little fuzzy how these people cost the tax payers money when they were left alone. Now that they are being run out, it's costing us money.
Sarah Mark
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
Regardless of where you stand on this, this video about the campers and campus compelling. http://vimeo.com/m/41239120 this might be a mobile link,google take notice Vimeo homeless video to find it.
Atticus F.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
Let me make one thing clear... Letting a homeless person "stay in your back yard" is not a solution to homeleseness... It's a cop out, for angry, uncaring, thoughtless people. No one person can solve the problem of homelessness by inviting strangers into their yard... This is all the more reason we need to address the problem as an intire community.
Atticus F.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
No, what i'm saying is that there is a big difference between State land and "your back yard"... You for some reason, seem to be unable to make a distinction between the two...
Honest Abe
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.
You are basically saying, they can stay in a yard, such as the land Camp Take Notice is on, but when it comes down to it, they cannot stay in yours. You could hand these folks a : Job, $10K in cash, a place to stay and a chance at life, and within months, most will be where they started. You just don't get it Atticus. You really do not.
Jack Campbell
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
Yet you were all for them staying in my neighborhood's backyard?
jcj
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
I suspect the impending thunderstorm will dampen some of the enthusiasm! About 30 people there at 4:05 pm
Honest Abe
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
Good Riddance, Camp Take Notice.
tom swift jr.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
You know you folks who keep harping on the "why don't you let them stay in YOUR backyard???" ... I'm hoping that someone does just that, and I hope it is YOUR neighbor.
4 Fingers
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 1:20 a.m.
Well Tom, I won't be mine......they just left :)
djm12652
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:58 p.m.
Is that an offer to house them in your neighborhood? I am fairly certain a percentage of the older people that qualify will be in my senior housing, free for a year...so it will be in my backyard. And the true number of homeless in this town is so much lower than people think. The majority actually have a roof over their head, such as Delonis and ID that shows the address as their address...problem is ya be be sober and straight to get in to Delonis, hence some of them stay out on the street.
djm12652
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
With a voucher for rent for a year, these campers will be housed in a safe environment or at least safer than outdoors. Now how do I get me a year of free rent?
Rob
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
So what is your solution, anyway? Do you have kids? Are you from any of the quaint neighborhoods near this westside makeshift KOA? I'm crossing my fingers and toes you let me know where you live in Ann Arbor. I will be at CTN tonight with flyers and maps to your area announcing the good news. You can explain to your neighbors later ;-)
bruceae
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
So Peggy, how many of these people are you going to take home with you? Maybe they could live in your back yard?
jns131
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 1:25 a.m.
Make sure it has a hi fence so I can have my privacy. Thank you.
Rob
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
I'd like to hear the excuses of all the St. Mary's rally participants for not adopting a camper. Talk goes a long way... until action is required. I want to know whose fault they think the eviction is, what other solutions they propose, and also if any of them live adjacent to this property, as I do. Better yet, all those who support the campers invisible rights to stay there please post your address so I can google map some woods near your house and kids.
jns131
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 1:22 a.m.
St Mary adopt a camper and take all their stuff with you. If you support them? Then you should support their right to camp in your backyard. Good luck with that one.
jcj
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.
A.F. I will concede the point.
Atticus F.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 9:16 p.m.
JCJ, I'm salary... As long as my job gets done, it's ok if I take a couple minutes to read an article, or comment on a blog.
jcj
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 9:10 p.m.
A.F. Can't leave the office. BUT you can sit and comment. I hope you are self employed and not commenting on someone else s dime!
jcj
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 9:08 p.m.
A.F. Did someone really say they should be exterminated? They CAN exist just not there!
Atticus F.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.
And Jack, I think a certain distinction needs to be made between someones right to exist who MIGHT be a danger, and letting someone stay in your yard who MIGHT be a danger.
Atticus F.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.
I have a solution already, Rob... Let them stay.
Rob
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
Rather than laugh about my solution, how about you come up with one first. The bottom line is this is private property near homes mostly occupied by families. We are not talking about the student ghetto near Burns Park or some woods way down Jackson Rd. I live in the area, drive by the camp entrance everyday, and have talked to people coming to or leaving the camp. I've made my mind up about what I feel is best for my family and neighbors. I'll be looking for your viable solutions on the subject. Panhandlers have been doing the same thing since 15 years ago when I first began talking to them as a freshman at the U. The camps that I lived around during my stay in Florida, which are much more numerous and easily hidden than Ann Arbor, are cesspools of human excrement and lawless trash-ridden landscapes. The decision to evict these people from MDOT property is justified and within the law. Please speak up with any suggestions.
Jack
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.
AF - You say it is unsafe, yet you support them staying where they are currently located. Aren't those who currently have homes in the area deserving of a safe environment?
Atticus F.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:17 p.m.
jcj, I go to alot of rallies... But unfortunately, I cant leave my office for every single cause that I support.
jcj
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:10 p.m.
A. F. Rally started at 4pm. I thought the supporters would be there!
Atticus F.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
Rob, letting a homeless stranger live in your back yard is not safe, and there are other ways of addressing homelessness. Your 'solution' is laughable and detached from reality, at best.
f4phantomII
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.
Talk and bumper stickers, don't forget the bumper stickers.
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 7:27 p.m.
Another day, another camp take notice article. Y....A....W....N Unless we have billyclubs and tear gas, there isn't much to keep re-hashing, is there?
J-smith
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 12:05 p.m.
Sorry the plight of the least among us keeps you from your important duties. Ignoring them does not make them go away.
jns131
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 1:23 a.m.
So the news finally takes notice? Wow.
Rudedog
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
Will be so glad when this is over. CTN has been given to much press! When I drove by tonight on the way home, I noticed that a news van from Channel 4 was there!
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.
Another day? How about another half hour!
nickcarraweigh
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.
Any self-respecting deadline always looms, it never nears. Anyway, these malingering malcontents should be required, under penalty of law, to disappear in a puff of smoke. Otherwise they will move somewhere else in Ann Arbor, and it's hard to imagine anywhere else more off the beaten track than their current lair.
jcj
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
There is lots of land that is publicly owed that is not a public camping area!
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 5:44 p.m.
The medians of thousands of miles of expressways are not being used for anything except expressway medians, but that doesn't make them state parks or KOAs.
jcj
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
Highway medians are NOT public areas! Think they are? Try walking to Chelsea down the median!
Atticus F.
Thu, Jun 21, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.
Perhaps we could have the State fence in all public areas so we would be restricted from leaving our homes... Or better yet, we could have the State errect fences around every single home in Michigan, that would go a long way in keeping people off State owned land. Hope you have a big back yard.