In the first step towards evicting the citizens of the tent village named Whoville by its residents, the city of Eugene sent a Sergeant to the site at Broadway and Hilyard St., along with a few public works employees who changed signage at the location shortly after 11 a.m. Friday morning.
![Eugene Police Sergeant Larry Crompton addresses the media and Whoville residents Jan. 17, 2014. Photo: Scott Reynolds]()
Eugene Police Sergeant Larry Crompton addresses the media and Whoville residents Jan. 17, 2014.
Photo: Scott Reynolds
Eugene Police Sergeant Larry Crompton said although the parcel is city property, that it is deemed by the city to no longer be open to the public.
Public works employees came to the location a few minutes after Sgt. Crompton addressed the residents and media, taking down signs that said said camping is prohibited, and erecting new signs saying “No Trespassing.”
![A Eugene public works employee installs a "No Trespassing" sign at the Whoville site Jan. 17, 2014. Photo: Scott Reynolds]()
A Eugene public works employee installs a “No Trespassing” sign at the Whoville site Jan. 17, 2014.
Photo: Scott Reynolds
The difference in signage is significant, however. In the legal system, camping on public property is treated as a violation, whereas violating a no trespassing sign is treated as a misdemeanor crime.
“The hard part for me is I’ve worked with the people of this camp…established rapport….it’s hard for me. We all hope for some options. I have a lot of compassion, it comes natural to me. I don’t have to work at it,” said Crompton.
“[I'm] sick of the “get a job” mentality.” – Kati Lynn Dibble
Dibble also said in her Facebook comment she and several of her friends have been seeking work, but not having any luck in doing so.
Jean Stacey, a self-described “Friend of Whoville,” described the effort as an extremely poignant story of the fact there are so many people who cannot get jobs, because there are no jobs.
![Photo: Scott Reynolds]()
A sign with rules of conduct for Whoville sits next to a sanitation station. Photo: Scott Reynolds
Not everyone shares Stacey’s sentiment, and a post on Lane Today’s Facebook generated a heated exchange between people who support Whoville, and those who oppose it.
“There are jobs! Just do the jobs you don’t want. Might lead to somewhere,” said Susan Ryan-Ojeda of Junction City, adding “These people need to get off their [butts] and get a job and get a house together. There are jobs out there regardless of what they say. Some people just don’t want to work.”
“I was tired of the police arresting me for trespass.” – James Kittrell
Kittrell said sleeping at Whoville was a better option for him, as he had been arrested a number of times for criminal trespass charges for occasions in which he would sleep under cover during inclement weather.
![James Kittrell, unemployed laborer looking for work. Photo: Scott Reynolds]()
James Kittrell, unemployed laborer looking for work.
Photo: Scott Reynolds
After having worked building fences and in production at a bicycle trailer company, Kittrell became unemployed and homeless. He says the community of Whoville has been a positive experience for him, saying he is now able to build a daily itinerary for his day so he can take care of the steps to rebuild his life such as getting his identification card back again, making it easier to seek work. He expects to have his identification card next week, and says he has been keeping busy hauling garbage away for the village, doing some work in the kitchen and other sanitation chores as needed.
“I can have a good night’s sleep and get up and look for work.” – Patrick Simmonds
![Patrick Simmonds, told Lane Today he has been looking for work daily. Photo: Scott Reynolds]()
Patrick Simmonds, told Lane Today he has been looking for work daily.
Photo: Scott Reynolds
Simmonds told Lane Today he was unable to find work for an extended period of time, and ended up homeless and at Whoville. He said he was grateful for the Whoville community, saying it gives him an opportunity to be warm and comfortable, and get himself together each morning to seek employment.
“They are the heroes and people we need to focus on.” – Jean Stacey, Friend of Whoville
The City of Eugene recent approved a resolution allowing for “rest stop” sites to be located around town where homeless people are allowed to stay. They are capped at allowing 15 people at each site. Two sites have been designated so far, and one has opened, at the corner of Garfield St. and Roosevelt Blvd. In a press release issued by the city Jan. 16, they say space is available at that site, but the other site has not opened yet because it does not have a voluntary supervisor.
![Whoville on Jan. 17, 2014 Photo: Scott Reynolds]()
Whoville on Jan. 17, 2014
Photo: Scott Reynolds
Whoville is home to over 40 people.
“The city needs to admit it can’t fix the problem. It (the city) gives us excuses there is no money to help, but they are going to spend money disbanding the camp and holding people in jail,” said Stacey.
![Jean Stacey, background, speaks with Eugene Police Sergeant Larry Crompton at Whoville Jan. 17, 2014. Photo: Scott Reynolds]()
Jean Stacey, background, speaks with Eugene Police Sergeant Larry Crompton at Whoville Jan. 17, 2014.
Photo: Scott Reynolds
The city also says in its press release that it has prioritized helping people who are experiencing homelessness, also having expanded the car camping program by adding Conestoga huts to it, provided a site for Opportunity Village and funded emergency winter strategies with $225,000 of one-time funding to bolster services for people who are homeless or on the verge of being homeless.
Nonetheless, the city of Eugene is having a liaison continue to work with the residents of Whoville, who will be asking them to leave and remove their belongings from the area, before the city comes in to clear and clean the property. City officials have not specified a date and time when they will do so, but say it will occur no earlier than Sunday, Jan. 19.
However, Stacey emphasized the Whoville residents aren’t asking the city for shelter or money, but simply to be left alone.