SPOKANE, Wash. — A month after a homeless encampment in North Spokane drew attention for crime and drug use, neighbors say the problems continue despite fewer trailers on the property.
The encampment is located near Division and Francis streets by the Screaming Yak. Area residents call it “Camp Dope” because of rampant crime and drug use.
The site has been reduced from three trailers to one, but residents report that drug activity, prowling, and safety concerns continue.
Laura Jackman, who lives in the area, wants change.
“I want to feel safe again,” Jackman said.
The property looks cleaner and safer from the outside, but neighbors report the same issues. Open drug use, people and cars prowling the area, and fear to leave their homes continue to affect residents.
Logan Ledbetter lives near the encampment. He said the improvement is misleading.
“It looks cleaner over there, but it’s not much better. And actually, it’s probably a little worse now, because now everybody wants to hang out right here instead of over at the camp,” Ledbetter said.
The situation affects residents’ daily lives. Jackman lives directly behind the property and chose not to show her face on camera because of safety concerns.
“Lots of sleepless nights because of worry. The anxiety that goes along with dealing with these people,” Jackman said. “I have a nice garden. I can’t even enjoy it because I get people coming up to the fence that the temporary fence that we have up. Asking for drugs.”
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has been patrolling the area over the past month. Neighbors have noticed more law enforcement.
The sheriff’s office says cleaning up private properties takes time. It also takes time for people who visit these areas to stop coming around. The office hopes the area will continue to improve.
Residents believe the problems will continue until the property owner is removed and all trailers and people are gone for good.
“They’re letting all these people get away with too much. It’s too much. The rest of us who are trying to be civil people are getting run into the ground by this,” Ledbetter said.
The sheriff’s office previously said there was not much it could do since the encampment was on private property.
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