ST. PAUL, Minn. - Residents of a homeless encampment overlooking a busy interstate in St. Paul are on the move, looking for another place to stay after the City of St. Paul, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Ramsey County shut the camp down Thursday.
Representatives from these organizations arrived at the encampment with St. Paul Police officers to make sure those living in tents or makeshift shelters on Cathedral Hill were packing up and moving on. While the threat of forcible removal loomed, KARE 11's Danny Spewak said the operation was both orderly and cordial. Police officers helped residents pack up and organize their thing. Some said they were heading towards the Hiawatha encampment in Minneapolis, while others were eyeing shelters in St. Paul.
St. Paul's head of Safety and Inspections, Ricardo Cervantes, says that over the long-term, the tent city on the hill just became too dangerous, so the goal was to transport those living there to places they can be warm and safe.
"My worst worry is that someone is going to die. They're gonna freeze," Cervantes said, adding that the city has seen reports of fires, a minor explosion from a heating device and even trash being thrown onto I-35E. "(That is) impacting not only their safety but also the public's safety... We're not here to flex our authority muscles, but rather to make sure people have options."
Residents of the encampment were informed on Tuesday that they would have to clear out in two days. Fliers that were passed around the camp said 'Notice to Vacate' and resembled eviction notices.
People were told they had until 10 a.m. to vacate the premises. The city is pointing them to "Winter Safe Space" in the basement of the Ramsey County Government Center.
This year, the temporary shelter opened a month early and shifted to longer hours. People can only come after 10 p.m. - with a referral. If they find a referral and are not a threat to themselves or others, they are welcome at "Winter Safe Space."
During the day, city officials say there are options like skyways or, again, libraries. There's also transitional housing through Higher Ground, which is more of a permanent residence than a shelter.
KARE 11 found that some people were also moving from the St. Paul encampment over to the Minneapolis one.
People interested in helping can visit franklinhiawathacamp.org or valhallaplace.com.