Chattanooga Shuts Down Homeless Camp Amid Rising Crime and Railroad Safety Concerns

Chattanooga Closes Homeless Camp, Citing Crime and Railroad Concerns

Chattanooga officials recently cleared a homeless encampment near Signal Mountain Road, following reports of increased crime in the area. The camp was situated in a wooded area on city property, adjacent to train tracks behind a local Food City store.

According to city spokesperson Eric Holl, the decision to dismantle the camp came after multiple complaints from nearby residents. Holl mentioned, “The decision to clear the area ultimately came as a request from various neighbors in the community due to an uptick in crime happening in their neighborhood.” Additionally, the railroad had expressed concerns about people being on or near the tracks.

Preparations and Notices

The camp was home to at least eight people before its removal. Police officers and members of the city’s homeless services outreach team provided residents with six weeks’ notice to vacate the premises. Notices were also posted around the area. The initial population of the camp was around 20 people, according to Reverend Jon Rector from the Union Gospel Mission. His organization serves unhoused people in the Chattanooga area and has its headquarters near the wooded area where the camp was located.

As the city’s “last call” to vacate approached, it appeared that the camp’s population had shrunk to around ten or fewer individuals. City teams offered housing services to everyone living in the camp, but only one person accepted the services and later declined them.

Challenges and Concerns

While city officials did not provide specific data on the reported crime increase, the decision to clear the camp has brought attention to the broader issue of homelessness in Chattanooga. According to Robert Childs, a harm reduction expert, many people prefer not to go to shelters for various reasons, including chronic health conditions, mental health issues, or the presence of pets that might not be allowed in shelters.

Childs, who has visited the area for outreach purposes, noted that several individuals at the camp had full-time jobs but still couldn’t afford housing in Chattanooga. He emphasized the need for more affordable housing options and support for people coming from marginalized conditions. “We need to do more to create affordable housing and housing that is friendly to people who are coming from the margins in order to stabilize them,” he said.

Impact on Service Providers

Clearing homeless camps complicates the efforts of service providers, including outreach teams from the city and county, who find it difficult to locate and assist people once they are dispersed. Childs highlighted the mental and physical strain that moving places on individuals, especially during high temperatures. “We also know if there’s a change in environment, if they’re dependent on substances or decide to use substances, there’s an elevated risk of overdose,” he said.

Observations on Thursday confirmed that no people were staying around the railroad tracks, although some tents were still visible deeper into the wooded area. Various belongings, including clothing, boxes, furniture, and carts, were left behind.

This incident follows another camp clearing in 2022 when approximately 30 residents were removed from a site on 12th and Peeples streets. That closure was prompted by business complaints and a nearby sanctioned homeless camp, with residents receiving two weeks’ notice.