In response to safety concerns and an increase in calls for service, officials in Portland, Maine are set to clear out a large homeless encampment in Harbor View Memorial Park near the Casco Bay Bridge next week. This decision comes after 12 deaths occurred outside campsites in 2023, raising concerns about the welfare of the individuals residing in the encampment.

One of the main concerns is the issue of snow plowing on the Casco Bay Bridge, as the snow often spills off the sides and onto the park below where the encampment is situated. This poses a potential danger to the residents and further emphasizes the need to address the situation promptly.

According to officials, there has been a significant increase in calls for service in the Harbor View park area, with a total of 303 calls in 2023, including seven overdoses, one of which was fatal. In contrast, in 2022, there were only 59 calls for service and no reported overdoses. These statistics highlight the growing challenges faced by both the homeless population and authorities.

To provide immediate support, the city has opened an emergency shelter on Riverside Industrial Parkway. Since its opening on November 30, a total of 43 people from the Harbor View encampment and 111 individuals who were sleeping outside have been brought into the shelter. This effort aims to provide a safer environment for those in need.

Efforts to transition more individuals from the Harbor View camp into the shelter will continue, as outreach workers strive to connect with and assist the homeless population. The city has conducted surveys to gain insight into the reasons preventing chronically homeless people from seeking shelter. According to the survey, the loss of autonomy was cited as the top reason for declining a bed at the shelter among those staying at the Harbor View encampment.

In order to further reduce barriers and make shelter beds more accessible, the city has extended the curfew at the Homeless Services Center to 11 p.m. This change is aimed at encouraging individuals to utilize the available shelter beds and providing them with an option that is both safe and offers much-needed support.

With the clearing of the Harbor View encampment and the availability of over 100 shelter beds at the Homeless Services Center, the city of Portland is taking steps to address the complex issue of homelessness in its community. The hope is that these efforts will provide a pathway to stability and resources for those experiencing homelessness, while ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the process.