Springfield defends homeless after removed camps return to 5th and North Grand

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The city of Springfield held a news conference one day after Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher released a statement regarding the removal of property from a corner where members of the homeless community have gathered. The encampment has since been reinstated.

The statement was made in response to the city removing personal property from the corner of 5th and N. Grand on Wednesday morning. The mayor's office said that the area had been tied to losses of life, battery reports, and increased drug activity with large tents set up close to oncoming traffic.

During Thursday's news conference, Springfield Police Officer Mike Newman, the Homeless Outreach Team Coordinator, laid out the events of Wednesday stating that he and Community Care Coordinator Shannon Allen arrived to the corner and spoke to the people there. Newman said that the only things removed from the area were trash and items that had been abandoned.

Mayor Buscher defended the actions of the outreach team stating that social media rumors made it seem as if the police were targeting homeless individuals.

"I think there are individuals who put some things on social media and had some theories that the police were out to get everyone or Alderwoman Purchase and I were out to get people," said Buscher.

Earlier this month, Buscher Ward 5 Alderwoman Lakeisha Purchase requested city council to review an ordinance that would have banned public camping. The ordinance discussion was withdrawn after citizens and community groups spoke out.

The encampment at 5th and North Grand was back by Thursday afternoon. My Brother's Keeper Street Ministry spent some time at the encampment handing out waters and letting individuals know what services and resources they could offer.

See the full conference below.