TOMS RIVER – The homeless encampment located near high-tension wires moved after JCP&L’s parent company erected “no trespassing” signs on the part of the property it owns.
Chris Hoenig, a First Energy/JCP&L spokesperson, confirmed that the signs were placed there on July 28. The homeless encampment was initially located on property partially owned by the municipality and First Energy.
One of the main access roads to the camp is on land owned by Ocean County and Toms River Township.
“Safety is a JCP&L priority, and we remind the public to keep away from powerlines and energized electrical equipment and at least 30 feet away from all JCP&L infrastructure for their own safety and protection,” Hoenig told Jersey Shore Online.com.
To facilitate the placement of the “no trespassing” signs on their property, JCP&L received a police escort. Police Chief Mitch Little said that the company has also requested assistance from township police regarding the enforcement of no trespassing laws.
Minister Steve Brigham of Destiny’s Bridge and the organizer of the encampment revealed that 15 men and women continue to reside in the makeshift settlement, now moved to an undisclosed location on what is believed to be public property.
Together with other volunteers, Brigham and some of the inhabitants diligently worked to meet what they thought was the Monday midnight deadline to relocate their belongings away from the powerlines.
“My son came down with one of his friends and helped,” Brigham said. “They’re very strong, energetic young men and they really helped out. It was harder on some of the others that were there, and they were exhausted.”
He added, “we moved everything that was valuable, but there were some things that were left behind.”
Brigham reported that almost half of the original community at the encampment chose to leave when offered temporary shelter in hotels. The belongings they left behind were not considered a priority during the relocation process and remain in the vicinity near the powerlines.
Among Brigham’s current worries is how to ensure a steady supply of essentials for those still at the encampment. To abide by trespassing laws, he has devised a plan to use a kayak to travel through the river within the area, allowing him to access and provide support to those in need without violating any regulations.
Thirteen individuals who continue to live in the makeshift settlement have retained legal counsel to ensure their rights are protected. Attorney Jeffrey J. Wild of Lowenstein Sandler, who serves as a Trustee of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, has been retained to advocate on their behalf.
In 2019, Wild successfully secured funds for members of another homeless community, established by Destiny’s Bridge in Howell, which were specifically allocated for relocation and temporary housing expenses.
According to Wild, he personally visited the encampment last week and was deeply disturbed by the conditions he witnessed. The outside temperature felt like nearly 110 degrees, making the situation incredibly challenging. Additionally, the presence of two women relying on oxygen added to the already precarious nature of their circumstances.
“These men and women would love not to have to fight to survive in the woods,” Wild asserted. “All of them would love to have adequate indoor housing.”
He added that since his clients have moved from the edge of the JCP&L property, they are not considered trespassers. Currently, they are situated on public land deep within a park, where they are causing no disturbances and are not bothering anyone.
“Under the United States Constitution and other parts of the law, they have the right to be there,” said Wild. “Governments cannot criminalize homelessness. It is cruel and unusual punishment to treat people as criminals just because they have no place to sleep but outdoors.”
“They have a right to live there if the government provides no other place, “Wild continued. “Ocean County has consistently refused to provide a homeless shelter. So, it is a very unfortunate situation.”
Although the attorney mentioned his firm has used litigation to advocate for the homeless, he sees it as a last resort. His initial discussions with Toms River authorities have left him with the impression that they are of the mindset of helping people rather than prosecuting them.
During their initial visit to the camp, Toms River Police arrived in plain clothes with the purpose of escorting representatives from different organizations that Chief Little believed could provide valuable resources.
In collaboration with local authorities, a range of groups has stepped forward to offer assistance, including Just Believe, Inc., Bright Harbor Healthcare, Ocean County Board of Social Services, Affordable Housing Alliance, Mental Health Association, Ocean County Board of Senior Services, HABcore and Soldier On.
“The problem we’re facing is that is not a one size fits all,” offered Little. “You can’t just throw money at it. There are other issues involved and that’s why we had to try to get everybody we could get together to try to meet the needs of the people in there and get them services as quickly as possible.”
Little said he was particularly concerned about the rising temperatures and the impact it could have on those living outside. As assorted people took advantage of the access to medical and psychiatric attention, some original members of the encampment accepted housing offers.
“We got 18 people out of there,” Little said. “But, again, it could be only a temporary solution, and they end up right back where they started, or in a different place. If they come back to the same place, at least they have a support group there.”
One of those who remained behind said she did so for that very reason. She worried that she and her family would receive only a short-term placement in a hotel and then be asked to vacate. There was comradery in staying within the community, even if it meant living in the woods.
Both Brigham and Paul Hulse of Just Believe, Inc. have suggested that Ocean County needs to establish a homeless shelter as a proactive measure to address the ongoing issue. Little said that he would be in favor of a shelter if it would help local people who are displaced.
“The problem with shelters is that if it’s the only one in the area,” shared Little. “It’s going to draw people from other places. We would then have people in our town that would not have been here before seeking services. We could get overwhelmed.”
Certain homeless individuals might choose to decline offers of shelter for various reasons. These concerns include worries about inadequate storage space for their belongings, difficulties in accommodating their pets, or resistance to abide by shelter rules.
Additionally, others may be dealing with mental illness, which could also influence their decision to forego accepting shelter assistance.
The chief confirmed that the township has no plans to forcibly remove those who have chosen to stay at the encampment. Instead, they are actively seeking a collaborative approach with their attorney to identify a solution for housing and secure the necessary funding. The authorities remain optimistic about finding a resolution that benefits those in need.
