Complaints lead to homeless eviction

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Dozens of the city's homeless are being told to move out from under a south side bridge. The city of Indianapolis said neighborhood business owners having been complaining that the homeless camp is scaring away customers.

Police closed a sidewalk under the Davidson Street bridge Monday and Tuesday morning the Department of Public Works will fence off the area to keep the homeless out.

Over the weekend, Metro Police posted signs telling the homeless who live under the bridge that they have to move out Monday. What's left behind, the city said, will be destroyed.

"We're going to try the best solution we can for the folks here," said Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Vane.

The city said neighbors have complained about the homeless camp and litter. Some people have even raised concern about a rise in crime.

Vane said, "It's going to be a permanent fix to the squatting that's happening here. But the only way there's a permanent fix to the problem that brings us here today is when people realize that there are places to get help and there places to sleep."

James Miles says he has mixed emotions about the situation. His concern is over whether the homeless people will now get the help they need.

"As far as crime and destruction, that goes on all around the city. It's just not the neighbors around here saying that they are destroying properties and things like that," said Miles.

"It doesn't do anyone any good, including the community at large, to have people sleeping outside in 30-degree weather. So the people who want help are going to get help," Vane said.

About 36 people called the bridge home.

Eric Hicks has been living under the bridge since last April. Hicks told 24-Hour News 8 he doesn't have anywhere else to go.

"I'll stay here as long as it takes. I'll move, but I can't move it in 15 minutes," Hicks said.

At a meeting last Thursday, business owners also complained that the homeless leave trash and waste around the area.

Some of the homeless spent Sunday moving their belongings from the Davidson Street bridge to another bridge nearby at Maryland Street.