TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Traverse City’s struggle with homelessness and public safety has reached a new low with a recent alleged sexual assault in or near “The Pines,” the city’s unofficial homeless encampment. While police investigate, the local community continues to wonder why the encampment, on city property, is allowed to exist at all.

According to a Traverse City Police Department press release, they are investigating an alleged sexual assault that occurred in the 800 block of South Division that occurred between November 6th and 13th. According to the press release, “A 39-year-old Traverse City man reported being forced or lured into The Pines after experiencing vehicle trouble somewhere near the 800 block of S. Division St. The incident is an open investigation and is currently being investigated by the Traverse City Police Department Detective Bureau. At this time, it is an isolated incident.”

The transformation of a city park into a homeless encampment.

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“The Pines” is actually a city park called the “Grand Traverse Commons.” Once a serene escape and a beautiful place to walk, nestled in an abundance of pine trees, it has been transformed into a perilous hotspot for many of the city’s homeless to camp out and live.

The city’s website paints a picturesque image of the park as a haven for hiking, biking, nature watching, and cross-country skiing. However, those idyllic days seem to be in the rearview mirror. Instead of spotting wildlife, locals now find themselves “homeless watching,” with tents and makeshift shelters prominently visible at the busy intersection of US-31 and 11th Street.

Near The Pines is a Veterans Memorial Park, a state office building and mix of retail, office and residential space in an area where the old State Hospital, originally known as the Northern Michigan Asylum, used to be. The hospital, ironically, was the home of where many homeless and mentally ill used to be housed before it closed in 1989.

A divided community.

The homeless encampment has been a bone of contention in the community for years with many residents wanting what they see as a criminal haven cleaned out. However, the City of Traverse City, in collaboration with community partners, has actually implemented several supportive efforts for the homeless to make their lives more comfortable including portable toilets and sinks as well as solar- powered charging stations. These initiatives were funded through private donations from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and others to address “immediate needs.”

The city has also shelled out roughly $15,000 to trim the lower branches of the pine trees, leaving the tents even more exposed to public view– a move that’s drawn plenty of criticism. It was done to protect campers and first responders according to Traverse City Fire Dept. Chief Jim Tuller who said that the dead limbs were “fuel that will lend itself to a fire going out of control very quickly.” Lighting and security cameras (facing the city’s facilities) have also been installed.

On the Traverse City Facebook community page “Overheard in Traverse City,” the Pines is often a topic of discussion. Recently, after the alleged attack, the same arguments arose from both sides of the issue about the homeless encampment – from those who want the homeless removed from the city property and those who say they have a right to be there and have nowhere else to go. The encampment supporters also argue that the opponents of the encampment lack empathy.

Area of crime.

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For those arguing for the removal of the homeless from city property, they point to the fact that The Pines is no stranger to assaults, drug use, theft, arson and vandalism.

And some of that behavior appears to have spilled over into the Veterans Memorial Park nearby. The park is a place which honors veterans who have served the country with statues, flags, picnic tables, and benches. Or at least it used to. The park saw its share of theft, vandalism and graffiti this year and the caretakers decided to remove the picnic tables and benches off the property. Even animal cruelty has descended on the park which includes a puppy that was thrown into a trash can.

Signs go up – but for what purpose?

Many in the community were curious when the city put up what appears to be dozens of signs all over the Pines in September explaining the rules of the park including the prohibiting of smoking tobacco and marijuana products, drinking alcohol, starting fires or engaging in any violent, abusive, loud, boisterous, vulgar, obscene or otherwise disorderly conduct.

Some community members viewed the new signs as a potential step toward actually enforcing park rules, but so far, no notable changes in enforcement have been observed. Compounding the issue, the signs are mounted so high and feature such small print that they’re nearly impossible to read. As a result, the signs seem more like decoration than directives, leaving the city’s selective enforcement practices regarding The Pines and its residents mostly unchanged – including not enforcing the hours of the park which do not include being there during overnight hours. Michigan News Source reached out to the city for clarification on the sudden abundance of signs near The Pines but did not receive a response to our request.

Nowhere else to go?

Currently, the city is looking into giving the Safe Harbor emergency shelter $250K in American Rescue Plan Act funds so that the shelter can be open all year instead of just in the winter months. They were supposed to vote on the issue on Monday but the meeting was cancelled due to HVAC issues in the city building. Many in the community, however, believe that many homeless individuals might avoid the shelter due to its rules, finding the rule-free lifestyle at The Pines more appealing.

Enablers?

Many in the community who want the Pines cleaned out cite the city as enabling the homeless with amenities like porta-potties and cell phone chargers and point to individuals in the community doing the same, delivering food and supplies to the camp.

As the city allows the encampment to exist, a recurring question has emerged online: Why is the city prioritizing the homeless over protecting residents and public spaces and how long will the community put up with it?

Even after a Supreme Court decision came down that allows cities to ban camping in public spaces, Traverse City’s officials seem hesitant to act decisively. Instead, taxpayers have been left to deal with the fallout year after year as the city continues to spend money and law enforcement resources on the area.

Closing the park: compassion or controversy?

Although the City has hinted at “closing” the park next year, there is no set date for it to happen as the city wants to help people transition out of the area. How long that will take and if it actually happens is anyone’s guess. Despite these plans and the shift in Safe Harbor’s approach to assisting the homeless, some city residents continue to oppose the removal of homeless individuals from The Pines.

Community member Karen Sehi posted online, “Many of the homeless lost homes to outrageous medical bills or from losing jobs. Many slept in cars before they lost that too. Not everyone who is homeless is drinking or doing drugs. They are just trying to survive.”

“The lack of empathy from some people on this page is pathetic.” John F. Hansen says, “I am perplexed at watching my mostly Christian and conservative friends rejoice with glee at the criminalization of mere existence.” Levis B. Cleviis says, “homeless people are our neighbors.”

Others in Traverse City are calling The Pines a public health, humanitarian and safety concern for the region. The situation at The Pines highlights a big challenge: finding a way to care for the homeless while keeping the community safe. Traverse City is facing tough choices to deal with both the immediate issues and the deeper problems behind them. Without clear action, the camp will remain a symbol of division, stretching resources and pushing the limits of the community’s compassion.