The people living in the vehicles said they were frustrated and angry that their dwellings were being carted off to languish in impound lots.
One woman, Madison Greenewald, said the box truck she had been living in for three weeks was towed without a chance for her to gather any belongings from it. All she had was what was in her pockets, she said: “A screwdriver, a lighter and two bolts.”
“All this is unnecessary,” he said, gesturing at the acres of soaked tents and vehicles. “It’s been unnecessary for more than a year. If we had a large shelter to put about 500 people in, we wouldn’t have to go through this over and over and over.” The scene drew observers: A private security guard, who said he’d been working at the site since last week, had a pizza delivered, handing out slices to anyone who asked for one. Eric Glatt, an emeritus attorney with the ACLU of Alaska, stood nearby observing, occasionally filming with his phone. Two citizen journalists filmed exchanges between campers and police.
Apollo Naff, standing at left on top of a large airport fire truck, and Jarvis Wallace gesture toward a bus that Naff owns and Wallace had been repairing, while talking with tow truck operators who were preparing to tow the bus on Thursday. Jarvis Wallace goes stiff as he is handcuffed on Thursday. Wallace had been working on a large airport fire truck that the city wanted to tow. Wallace was charged with multiple violations including interfering with vehicle impoundment, according to police. The city began towing vehicles from the camp on Thursday, in preparation for closing the camp before winter. Soon after, Bronson showed up with city homeless coordinator Alexis Johnson and parks director Mike Braniff.
“Hey, I spent a lot of time getting that thing to run,” he said, gesturing to the mammoth Anchorage airport fire truck. The mayor nodded.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
City considers moving Anchorage’s Downtown Transit CenterAnchorage's Downtown Transit Center may be on the move. The city is considering five new sites.
Read more »
Anchorage Assembly members propose new regulations for Airbnbs and other short-term rentalsThe measure would not impose limits on the number of Airbnbs, Vrbos and other rentals in Anchorage, but it would help officials understand the impact of short-term rentals on the city’s housing supply.
Read more »
Municipality of Anchorage installs gate at Cuddy Park encampment, distressing some living thereThe barrier — which remained open throughout the day on Monday — comes as the park’s homeless population grows along with the number of vehicles parked in the space.
Read more »
Municipality of Anchorage installs gate at Cuddy Park encampment, distressing some living thereMunicipality of Anchorage installs gate at Cuddy Park encampment, distressing some living there
Read more »
OPINION: Problems with Anchorage’s approach to homelessnessTime and time again, research shows that investing in preventative measures for homelessness is much more cost-effective than reactionary measures.
Read more »