Derrick Hart organizes his possessions as he prepares to move them out of Marion Square Park during the eviction of a homeless encampment at the park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Crews of city workers, police and public works staff were at Marion Square Park Thursday morning, clearing out a homeless camp that had grown to nearly 100 people in recent weeks.
Many were unsure of where to go next as they gathered their belongings, took down their tents and grabbed bags full of trash. Camp residents Thursday morning didn’t argue with city workers or police as they prepared to leave.
City shelters have few beds available. Many of those staying in the park are couples who would have to split up to get shelter. Several residents said they have disabilities which made the camp’s proximity to social services ideal.
Outreach workers were on hand giving out food, tents and tarps to people who were being displaced.
The city last swept a homeless camp in the park in 2019.
Previous reporting: Salem to evict homeless camp at Marion Square Park Thursday
-Saphara Harrell
A city worker uses a skid steer to remove a homeless campsite at Marion Square Park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
William Barkley III, left, and Richard Cramer IV, joke while picking up their belongings from their campsite at Marion Square Park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
City workers pick up trash during the eviction of a homeless encampment at Marion Square Park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Salem Parks and Recreation workers disassemble a drinking water filling station at Marion Square Park during a city eviction of the homeless encampment there on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Nathan Rose packs up his belongings from his campsite at Marion Square Park during an eviction of the homeless encampment on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Salem Police officers check on a tent at Marion Square Park during an eviction of the homeless encampment on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
City workers pick up trash during the eviction of a homeless encampment at Marion Square Park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Derrick Hart helps a friend pack up their campsite during a city eviction of the homeless encampment at Marion Square Park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A city worker breaks down a tent during the removal of a homeless encampment at Marion Square Park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A city worker uses a skid steer to remove a homeless campsite at Marion Square Park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Maria Dominguez Jacobo, left, and Maggy Johnston, of The ARCHES Project, help move a tent full of belongings while handing out blankets and tents during a city eviction of the homeless encampment at Marion Square Park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
City workers pass out trash bags and grabber tools to begin removing a homeless encampment at Marion Square Park on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Jamie Barquest warms her hands over a fire at her campsite at Marion Square Park during a city eviction of the homeless encampment there on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A sign at Marion Square Park during the eviction of a homeless encampment on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected].
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