- Case Date:
- 5/29/2023
Yesterday while hiking in the woods at RCA Park with my grandchildren There was a tent pitched back in the woods. Today in the same place the tent was gone but belongings including a backpack and shirt were there. There was also evidence of a campfire. A live tree had suffered damage from the fire. Please check into this. It is just off a major dirt path and visible from the path. Leaving their stuff there suggests they might return. I let BPD know. I am attaching photos here.
- Case Date:
- 5/28/2023
There is a tent pitched along the woods trail at TCA Park in the woods.This is not safe, hygienic, or fair to park users. Please, do something about this. Your park security is useless. They do not patrol the trails. Please do something about this. Worse city government in 50 years. Do you jobs that we are paying you to do. RCA should not become another Seminary or mimic what goes on behind Community Auto. I do not feel safe taking kids in the woods anymore. Camping is prohibited here. Enforce the law!
- Case Date:
- 4/25/2023
I have a large and growing homeless encampment behind my home at 2431 S. Bryan Street as documented in the photo above.
In the fall of 2022, this property (located to the west of the B-Line trail, between the B-Line and S. Bryan Street/S. Camden Drive) became the site for a homeless encampment. Initially, it was a couple of tents and tarps. However, gradually it has gotten much larger, including several more tents and many old tires, several shopping charts, and numerous pallets. Surrounding the camp on all sides is a large and growing volume of scattered garbage and debris.
Earlier this month, camp inhabitants started parking a car on the property on a makeshift driveway off S. Camden Drive. The campers are also collecting and storing firewood in shopping carts. Several times a week, there are fires in the woods.
I live at 2431 S. Bryan. The encampment was initially 125-150 feet from my home. However, over the last few days, a tent has appeared approximately 25 feet from the property line.
Next week, my 26-year-old daughter will be staying alone in my house. With the growth of the homeless encampment, I am very concerned about her safety. Last fall, when she was also here alone, a man who appeared to be homeless tried to force his way into the house.
In my view, a growing encampment that is moving very close to my house is an unacceptable safety concern. Obviously, this is a zoning violation. But it is creating conditions that increase the likelihood of crime, as the people living in the homeless encampment lack the basics of shelter, plumbing, and food security.
Within the last week, two ”Private Property, Keep Out” signs have been posted along the B-Line trail in areas immediately adjacent to the encampments. It is unclear, however, who put these signs up, as the inhabitants may be trying to limit the size of their camp.
The encampment is on Parcel # 53-08-09-300-045.000-009 in Bloomington. According to public records, the owner of the property is Cmdr 2 LLC. The address for the homeless encampment is listed as “S Walnut St, Bloomington, 47401.” It appears to have been part of a larger land parcel that was divided by B-Line trail. The address for Cmdr 2 LLC is listed as 3115 S Highway 37 Bloomington, In 47401. But per the Secretary of State's office, the address is 3535 Spring Branch Road, Bloomington, IN, 47401, USA. The registered agent is Michele Jones, 9389 Rockwood Court, Noblesville, IN, 46060.
This can be resolved either by the City of Bloomington enforcing its zoning laws or by the owners of the parcel filing a complaint of criminal trespass. I am hoping this communication will spur action by the City, the parcel owners, or both.
Bill Henderson, 812-361-3726. [email protected]
Unsafe Buildings
1001 N Jackson ST
- Case Date:
- 3/17/2023
I own the property located at 1005 N. Jackson St, 47404. Shortly after purchasing the property the house next door burned down. We felt very fortunate that our house was not damaged. The house was demolished, however, shortly after demolishing the house someone has set up a tent on the lot and multiple people have been seen using the tent. There is trash surrounding the tent. Though we have not seen a fire there is what appears to be a makeshift fire pit.
We use this property as a short term rental and it has the proper permits. I am personally concerned about the safety of my wife who spends some of her days working on improvements within the property. Obviously concerned about the impact on our ability to rent the home with the above described situation.
I'm not sure what can be done but after reviewing the code it does not seem like this fits the intended use of the property. I am also empathetic to the rise of homelessness in our community, but this is a residential neighborhood and for the safety of all community members something should be done. We dodged a serious issue when the house burnt down and worry we may not be so lucky if something happens again. Thanks for your attention to this matter, please reach out with any questions. Hoping this could be resolved amicably, not trying to get anyone in trouble.
- Case Date:
- 3/6/2023
Tent at the corner of Walnut and E Second, in front of a bench in front of World Food Market.
Is it legal to set up a tent there?
- Case Date:
- 3/6/2023
Seminary Square Park, there is a big tent-like structure covered with a blue tarp. Does not look like it was erected this morning. Soon there might be more. Is the No-tents-in-parks during the night ordinance being enforced?
Biking & Walking
Peoples Park, 501 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA
- Case Date:
- 10/20/2022
Tent pitched ON YHE SIDEWALK in front of People’s Park this morning. LIs this allowed on a public sidewalk? Please ignore the biking/walking info. Below…accidentally touched that and cannot delete that part of the comment.
Other
W North St, Bloomington, IN 47404, USA
- Case Date:
- 10/9/2022
At the end of North street there are people living in a tent behind the mobile home, there is trash everywhere, and traffic day and night. They have barracades up so noone can turn around.
Trails
5FXF+87 Bloomington, IN, USA
- Case Date:
- 7/14/2022
Someone is camping off Dunn street near the Griffy trails. They have a nailed a private property sign to a tree and have a site with a large tent and other items set up.
- Case Date:
- 7/6/2022
A campsite has been created in the Griffy Woods, just south of the North-most entrance to the trail system on Dunn street (south of the top of the hill/Dam). A path has been cleared off of the trail to the campsite area and a large area has been cleared for the campsite. There is a tent set up with gear, etc. present.