The biggest homeless encampment in Portland will soon be cleared out.
The Maine Department of Transportation said any tents left at the Marginal Way park and ride on Nov. 1 will be removed.
Police hope this will curb a rise in crime there.
“It’s a dangerous place at times down here. We had one murder at one of the encampments. We’ve had a significant number of overdoses,” Portland Police Chief Mark Dubois said.
“Every chance we get to remove someone from that environment, either getting them into the Homeless Shelter Service, which a lot of agencies are kind of working on, or get into treatment. We’re going to do whatever we can,” said Bill Burns, a substance use liaison.
The city said there are currently about 90 tents around the parking lot.
After Nov. 1, Dubois said the department will have the ability to remove any tent from the site and will get those living in the encampment into treatment or housing.
Meanwhile, Dubois said Gov. Janet Mills visited the encampment on Wednesday.
“She came down here to take a look first-hand for herself earlier [Wednesday] so you know I’m very hopeful that that is helpful. I think it is. I think it makes a significant impact when you walk around down here and you see how people are living,” Dubois said.
Mills said she’s provided money for wrap-around services as well as shelters and housing to make sure people are protected and safe in Portland.
