UPDATE: Authorities have just cleared a homeless encampment near Portland High School in Maine due to urgent safety concerns. Portland Police instructed individuals at the former encampment on Lancaster Street to vacate their belongings on Monday, a location frequented by students who park their cars nearby.
The decision to dismantle the encampment comes as local residents express unease about safety while walking in the area. Parents are demanding action from city officials to protect their children amidst rising concerns. Portland Mayor Mark Dion confirmed that the city is struggling to find solutions, stating, “They’re refusing services. So there’s the dilemma.”
Mayor Dion noted that shelters currently have available beds and efforts are underway to establish a day shelter to assist those in need. However, he highlighted the ongoing cycle of displacement, saying, “They’ll go from there to another spot.” This ongoing issue has left many families anxious about their children’s safety.
Since 2020, Portland schools have not employed school resource officers, a program that parents are urging the district to reconsider. “Once upon a time we had school resource officers, and the school community decided not to move forward with that strategy,” Dion lamented. He expressed a desire for those officers to be reinstated, noting the current staffing shortage— the police department is down 27 officers from full capacity.
The Portland School District has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the potential return of school resource officers, as community members await further developments. Parents are calling for a comprehensive strategy to enhance student safety in light of these recent events.
As this situation continues to evolve, residents and parents alike are looking for immediate action from both the city and the school board to address their concerns. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
