Community outreach organization calls for change in handling of Jamestown encampments [Video]

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Late last month, the City of Jamestown declared a State of Emergency due to almost 300 people across the city living in public spaces. 

The dire living conditions in what the city has called “unauthorized encampments” displayed scattered belongings and discarded needles littered public areas, including trails along the Chadakoin River. Conditions that city officials described as a “public health crisis.”

To date, city officials say they have successfully completed one encampment cleanup in the area around and including Ransom Alley, but the homelessness crisis remains.

“We did not support that move and we thought that  it was more appropriate to do a strategic planning type event and plan what is best for our community” said Diane Hewitt-Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at COI.

The organization is instead calling for what they say is “a plan …