PORTLAND, Ore. -- A piece of ODOT land once crowded with homeless campers will soon be a community garden.
Neighbors in Lents celebrated the change Sunday. They said they hope the increased police presence will keep the changes coming.
The garden sits behind a neighborhood in Lents, at southeast 96th and Woodstock. Called Nathaly’s Garden, after Nathaly Jimenez, it was dedicated Sunday at noon.
Jimenez and her family live nearby. Months ago, they said, the property was filled with tents, tarps and homeless campers.
Her family feels for those who are struggling.
They built their house with Habitat for Humanity.
Still, they said this particular set-up wasn't working.
“Sometimes at night, they’d be screaming and shouting,” said 16-year-old Nathaly Jimenez, “and it would scare my brother whose window is like right up above there.”
Neighbors say the homeless camping and the crime they say was linked to it is being addressed.
“We’re happy to have the police enforcing the law and serving warrants,” said Jennifer Young, who lives in Lents.
On Saturday, KGW followed Portland Police on their weekly ATV patrols. Officers on these patrols don't make campers move. They offer resources and advice on accessing shelters.
They also run names for active warrants.
We saw several arrests yesterday. Police say they usually bring in about a dozen people.
“We’re getting the criminals off the trail and then social workers are out here working with the other people,” said Portland Police Sgt. Randy Teig.
Regardless, many felt targeted during the patrols.
“Is this necessary? All for what? We didn’t do anything,” said one camper. “It’s frustrating and overwhelming and it doesn’t have to be like this.”
Police said they won’t be releasing names of charges from Saturday’s patrol until at least Monday. They worked overtime to get that shift done.
At Nathaly’s Garden, people say they know a lot needs to change. Campers can help. They also say they know this project wasn’t possible until recently, and they’re grateful.