Shocking! Salt Lake City Homeless Camp Abatement

Yet Another Homeless Salt Lake City Homeless Camp is “Abated” and the unsheltered homeless try to scatter to find shelter in 100-degree heat.

The media were not allowed to take photos or videos of what was transpiring just after the health department began its efforts.

“I’ve been moved out probably twenty-five times,” said camp leader Stacey Johnson who was distraught on Thursday over the prospect of being required to move her very small trailer, her dog, and her few belongings yet again. Johnson was the organizer of Fort Pioneer, which was a very successful homeless encampment under the freeway, with what she says were 300 individuals who got along well, and 50 campers who went to work every day.

When I asked Stacey what she would say to Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall regarding her situation she said,
“You lied to me so many times! You know there is no way we can get any housing, you know because you keep stopping it”

When I asked how Mayor Mendenhall lied, she said that she was told by Mayor Mendenhall when she visited Fort Pioneer, that the camp would not be abated. One week later, Stacey said the city and health department showed up with front-end loaders to bulldoze the people out.

Johnson works directly with volunteer agencies such as VOA and others to assist the homeless people living in the camps in getting the basic provisions that they require.

Garbage was piling up at the camp located at 700 West and 230 South, butted up against Union Pacific property and city property. But arrangements were being made to get a dumpster and a porta-potty into the location. By then it was too late and the Salt Lake County Health Department along with the Salt Lake City Police Department had already determined to abate the sight.

Robin Pendegrass, who is a New York Times and Getty Image photographer, who was also a guest on the Utah Stories Show, captured an image that appeared in the New York Times with that abatement. The sign read, “We are Human.” Pendergrass said that “That is emblematic of the treatment that these people are facing.” They are not being treated like humans. And it’s absolutely shameful to witness this treatment among such an affluent population.

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