Current:Home > InvestLast major homeless encampment cleared despite protest in Maine’s largest city -MarketLink
Last major homeless encampment cleared despite protest in Maine’s largest city
View
Date:2025-04-15 02:23:24
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The city of Portland towed about 20 vehicles that attempted to block heavy equipment from clearing the last of the large homeless encampments in Maine’s largest city on Tuesday, officials said.
The vehicles were parked deliberately in an emergency no-parking zone on Commercial Street to stop or delay city workers, necessitating their removal, said city spokesperson Jessica Grondin.
Protesters also formed a human chain near the encampment before the crowd dispersed with no arrests, she said.
The Harbor View Memorial Park encampment had about 70 tents — though many of them were unoccupied — and the city now has enough capacity to accommodate the occupants in city shelters, Grondin said. Outreach workers were on hand to discuss options with displaced occupants.
Homelessness swelled over the summer in Portland with the arrival of hundreds of asylum seekers. The city sheltered about 1,200 people per night in June.
The situation has improved since then with the expansion of an existing shelter and the creation of a new shelter with 120 beds dedicated specifically to individual asylum seekers, Grondin said.
As of Tuesday morning, the city had 57 beds for men and 29 beds for women available, she said.
veryGood! (47978)
Related
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Walmart will close all of its 51 health centers in 5 states due to rising costs
- 2-year-old boy killed while playing in bounce house swept up by strong winds in Arizona
- Oh Boy! These Mother's Day Picks From Loungefly Are the Perfect Present for Any Disney Mom
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- The Georgia Supreme Court has thrown out an indictment charging an ex-police chief with misconduct
- Some North Carolina abortion pill restrictions are unlawful, federal judge says
- U.S. officials are bracing for another summer of dangerous heat. These maps show where it's most likely to happen.
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Why Kourtney Kardashian Wants to Change Initials of Her Name
Ranking
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Drew Barrymore tells VP Kamala Harris 'we need you to be Momala,' draws mixed reactions
- Dear E!, How Do I Mature My Style? Here Are the Best Ways To Transform Your Closet & New Adult-Like Fits
- Dear E!, How Do I Mature My Style? Here Are the Best Ways To Transform Your Closet & New Adult-Like Fits
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Lincoln’s Civil War order to block Confederate ports donated to Illinois by governor and first lady
- Walmart is launching a new store brand called Bettergoods. Here what it's selling and the cost.
- Oh Boy! These Mother's Day Picks From Loungefly Are the Perfect Present for Any Disney Mom
Recommendation
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, PB&J
Walmart to close health centers in retreat from offering medical care
Kim Kardashian's New Chin-Grazing Bob Is Her Shortest Haircut to Date
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Father of former youth detention center resident testifies against him in New Hampshire trial
Sara Evans Details Struggle With Eating Disorder and Body Dysmorphia
Eight US newspapers sue ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement