Milwaukee targets homeless encampments

Two small homeless encampments, one near downtown and the other on the near-west side,  are being targeted for removal by the city, which says they have become health hazards.

The encampments — beneath a freeway overpass at N. 6th and W. Clybourn streets, and a bridge at N. 25th and W. Greves St. — have become strewn with garbage, used syringes, human waste and empty liquor bottles, Milwaukee Police spokesman Sgt. Tim Gauerke said.

“Now, there are some rodents that are starting to take root down there,” Gauerke said.

“We’re asking people to gather their belongings so the area can be cleaned.”

Last week police placed signs at the sites ordering the removal of property within 10 days.

The state Department of Transportation has also placed “no trespassing” signs at the sites and anyone who violates them will be subject to a municipal citation, Gauerke said.

It is not unusual to find homeless encampments beneath various bridges and overpasses around the city.

Landings beneath support beams are often wide enough for discarded mattresses, sleeping bags, coolers and backpacks. And recesses under the beams serve as storage shelves for dried and canned foods and packaged snacks.

One bridge on Milwaukee’s south side is known to have sheltered almost a dozen homeless men.

About a half-dozen makeshift shelters and sleeping areas are visible to passersby at the Clybourn St. encampment at the north end of the 6th St. bridge. The site also is strewn with trash, liquor bottles and personal belongings.

A pair of tents rests beneath the bridge at N. 25th and W. Greves, overlooking railroad tracks strewn with trash and debris.

Homeless men holding signs asking for help stand on medians at nearby intersections.

Gauerke said the two encampments are the only ones he is aware of that are scheduled for removal.

Representatives of the city's Department of Public Works could not be reached for confirmation.

“Clearly the city has the right for health and safety reasons to clear out the bridge(s),” said Joe Volk, director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Homelessness.

“My questions would center around have they exhausted all of their resources yet?

“I would hope the (Milwaukee Police Department Homeless Outreach Team) would do everything they can to intervene before these people would get kicked out."

Volk also asked whether the Milwaukee Continuum of Care, a consortium of homeless service providers that receives Community Development Block Grant funding, with the goal of ending homelessness in Milwaukee, had been consulted.

In an email response Friday, Gauerke said the 1st District community liaison officers "have worked collaboratively with the County’s Housing First program and other homeless/community advocate groups who have been working with the homeless in that area to help with placement, mental health, substance abuse and other issues.”

Representatives from the continuum could not be reached for comment.