WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Homeless encampments are a big problem nationwide and Wilmington is no exception. The homeless population living at 4151 Emerson Street, a wooded area off of Kerr Avenue and Randall Parkway, are being forced to clean up and get out.
Police say the encampment is unsafe and is a health hazard, but it's up to the land owner to clean up the space.
According to police, the property owner was notified by the city's code enforcement the land must be cleared by next Wednesday or they will have to pay a fine.
"It's a huge problem for the property owners," explained Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous. "These encampments are not approved. They're not allowed to be in there and they actually build little cities, little towns and suddenly when they're forced to leave the property owners have to pay thousands and thousands of dollars to clean it up."
Bags of clothes and garbage are among some of the items that have been left behind, along with a ‘No Trespassing' sign which allows police to provide assistance at the request of the owner to remove the camp.
Officers have removed tents and clothes line to see if homeless people are returning to the site. If everything is back up in a day or two they will know to keep an eye on the area.
The property owner will face a $100 fine everyday if the land is not cleaned up by Wednesday.
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A homeless encampment at 4151 Emerson Street, a wooded area off of Kerr Avenue and Randall Parkway.
Bags of clothes and garbage are among some of the items that have been left behind, along with a ‘No Trespassing' sign which allows police to provide assistance at the request of the owner to remove the camp.
Items left behind at the homeless encampment.
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