XPost: mn.politics, sac.politics, alt.politics.democrat
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From: almostdead@nytimes.com

Minneapolis officials are grappling with escalating violence at a homeless encampment inside a city-owned park that saw one person shot Tuesday and several reported sexual assaults in recent weeks.

Hundreds have gathered at Powderhorn Park near the downtown area in recent weeks and began erecting tents after many were evicted from hotels, the
Star Tribune reported. Last month, the city began allowing homeless
residents to stay overnight in parks.

The city's Park and Recreation Board estimates around 800 people are
living in the park, which has seen the number of tents surge from 415 last
week to 560, according to a report. In a move that began with good
intentions, the board rejected a plan on July 1 to restrict homeless encampments in parks across the city.

In the days since, several assaults have been reported.

The most recent act of violence occurred Tuesday when a man was shot in
the face and arm inside the Powderhorn encampment. He was expected to
live, a spokesperson for the Minneapolis Parks Police told Fox News. No suspects were arrested.

Other incidents include a girl who was reportedly hospitalized following
an alleged attack by a man. An arrest was made and criminal charges are pending. In addition to crime, public restroom locks have been broken and electrical outlets have been rewired so encampment residents can power
their cellphones, according to an update provided to the board this month.

The panel is expected to vote Wednesday whether to limit the number of
parks available for temporary encampments during its meeting.

A spokesman for Mayor Jacob Frey did not immediately return calls from Fox
News about the encampments. In a webinar last week, Frey addressed the escalating violence at the park with the business community.

“Obviously, the encampment has grown to an untenable size,” he said. “In
its present state and in the direction that it is going, it’s not safe,
and the truth is that there is an infinite need for services.”

Three attacks occurred in hours between late June 26 and early June 27,
the newspaper reported. Later on June 27, one woman reported being
assaulted at the park. She received medical attention and a 40-year-man
was arrested and charged with groping her in their tent.

One man who lives at the park told the newspaper he's seen arguing but no fighting. A nearby property owner said some tenants have had their cars
broken into and home windows tampered with.

"Yes, taxpaying residents are moving out of Minneapolis because there is
no one protecting their rights to a safe neighborhood," Susan Viergever
told the Star Tribune.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/minnesota-homeless-encampment-crime-increases- powderhorn-park

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