Phoenix tackles lawsuit-ridden homeless ‘zone’.
The City of Phoenix Takes Action to Clear Infamous Homeless Encampment
The city of Phoenix is making significant progress in addressing the notorious homeless encampment known as “The Zone.” This encampment has been the subject of a lawsuit filed by nearby business owners and residents.
On Wednesday, a dedicated crew of nonprofit and city workers embarked on the task of clearing people, tents, and other belongings from another block of “The Zone.” This massive downtown encampment can sometimes house nearly 1,000 individuals.
The crew successfully cleared 13th Avenue between Madison and Jefferson streets, which is just one section of the sprawling encampment. Tents can be seen lining the sidewalk for several blocks at a time.
The recently cleared area is located near Old Station Sub shop, owned by Joe Faillace, one of the business and property owners involved in the lawsuit against the city regarding “The Zone.”
Plaintiffs Allege Violence and Property Damage
The 15 plaintiffs in the lawsuit claim that the homeless individuals residing in “The Zone” have caused violence and property damage, significantly impacting the plaintiffs’ livelihoods and quality of life. They report finding used needles and human feces on their properties, as well as witnessing drug use and public sex acts by homeless individuals.
According to the lawsuit, the city has even transported homeless people to “The Zone” and failed to enforce the law in that area.
Legal Action and Ongoing Cleanup Efforts
In March, a Maricopa County judge issued a preliminary injunction declaring “The Zone” a public nuisance and ordering the city to clear it by July 10.
The trial for the lawsuit took place earlier this month, but a final ruling on the timeline for clearing “The Zone” has not yet been issued.
The city began the process of clearing the encampment on May 10, and the recent cleanup marks the fifth block to be cleared.
Last week’s cleanup occurred during a record-breaking heat wave in Phoenix, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Homeless residents were seen battling the heat, pouring water on themselves, and receiving water bottles from the cleanup crew.
The extreme temperatures prompted homeless individuals, especially older residents, to seek shelter and take advantage of the air conditioning provided at a nearby community center dedicated to assisting the homeless.
City officials have outlined a plan to complete the clearance of “The Zone” over the next nine months. However, the plaintiffs’ legal team has requested that the court order Phoenix to clear it by the end of the summer.
“Let the city keep doing this good thing without the burden of further court action,” one city attorney stated.
Phoenix also faced another lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, which sued the city in December over its cleanups in “The Zone,” arguing that these actions “criminalize homelessness.”
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