Police work to enforce camping ordinance as officials re-examine issue of homelessness in city

Kevin Spradlin
Cumberland Times-News

November 18, 2008 08:58 am

— CUMBERLAND — In June, members of the Leadership Allegany Class of 2008 and the Board of Homeless stood 300 strong on the downtown mall in Cumberland. The idea was to raise awareness of the number of people thought to be homeless in Allegany County.
While the 300 people standing represented the estimated number of homeless here, it’s an issue many were reluctant to talk about for various reasons. Some said it wasn’t as bad here as in other places. Others felt speaking about the issue in a public forum could make it worse. Either way, there are homeless in the area.
Though local business professionals and tourism officials differ on the degree of the problem — and the number of people living as homeless in the area — it’s no doubt changed some people’s daily routines.
The Cumberland Police Department is doing what it can to enforce the city’s camping ordinance, which prohibits people setting up bedding in outdoor areas and sleeping. Janice L. Youmans, 51, of no fixed address, has been cited multiple times this year for violating the city’s ordinance by either being found asleep outdoors — usually near the intersection of Liberty and Baltimore streets — or setting up a campsite. Earlier this month, Youmans was issued a criminal citation, detained and is presently awaiting a court date.
The issue was discussed at last week’s Downtown Development Commission meeting at City Hall. Commission Chairman Dave Romero said it was difficult, as a businessman, to see Youmans “dominating the Liberty Street stage” complete with luggage and personal hygiene kit.
“Obviously, it’s not something great for tourism,” Romero said.
Tourism officials, who were reluctant to spread a negative message or the idea that the facilities they oversee are public, admitted downtown Cumberland has become “scary.” Renee Bone, executive director of the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority, said people have used public rest rooms has their personal bathing sites and have used the fountain in front of the Western Maryland Railway Station for similar purposes.
It turns from a few regulars to broken windows, fires and, once, a picnic table was thrown into the C&O Canal. It’s a costly affair for the budget-conscious authority. Bone said she didn’t know whether it was homeless people or adolescents causing the costly trouble. Either way, the atmosphere downtown gives on an “uncomfortable feeling,” she said.
“There’s a problem Allegany County’s not addressing,” Bone said.
Capt. Kevin Ogle, city police operations supervisor, said enforcing the camping ordinance isn’t the department’s top priority. While officers “are not out there looking for them ... if they get a complaint or an officer sees it,” they address it.
As the city law is written, the person must be afforded shelter. The Union Rescue Mission typically has a bed, Ogle said.
Downtown Manager Ed Mullaney said sometimes, however, that place is unavailable. Or the call about a homeless person comes in too late. There’s a safety and health element involved, Mullaney said.
“It’s a community issue,” Mullaney said. “What if someone is sleeping and is attacked at night?”
It’s also a difficult law to enforce.
“Our hands are tied a little bit,” Mullaney said. “As long as they’re sitting up, they were OK. We’re working on correcting that situation now.”
And DDC members are working on providing a one-bedroom emergency shelter on the rare occasions the mission isn’t an option.
“We need some place for those people to go, we need it 24 (hours a day), seven (days a week),” Ogle said, “available to men and women.”
A short distance from the Trestle Walk at Canal Place, there is a small wooded area adjacent to the new Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, currently under construction. In between the trees, there is evidence one or more persons are making themselves comfortable. A sleeping bag. A pile of empty beer cans.
Ogle said he wasn’t aware of the potential campsite but understood it as a possibility with close proximity to public rest rooms at Canal Place and shelter during inclement weather.
Romero and commission members discussed the idea of leasing the public areas in which those living on the street occupy. That would enable police officers to enforce no trespassing signs, if posted, or otherwise move them along whether they were deemed to be camping or not. The idea was tabled until further notice.
Romero said the issue is a “very minor problem” but it’s one that needs to be addressed somehow. Ogle, an avid traveler to baseball stadiums across the country, said he sees homeless people all over. While it’s not something that is unique to Cumberland, local officials should take steps to find a resolution.
“It’s not what I came to see as a tourist,” Ogle said. “It’s not something I want to see.”
Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.

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