Kansas City has recently cleared its largest homeless encampment in history, located in the River Market. Despite this effort, local business owners and residents are expressing ongoing concerns about safety, drug use, and inadequate lighting in the area.
### Concerns from Business Owners
Steve Stegall, owner of The Blue Line, has highlighted safety issues for employees who finish work late. They face the dilemma of parking close to the building and risking towing or navigating poorly lit areas. Stegall is advocating for employee parking tags to provide safer parking options.
Nearby, Ray Reed, a staff member at Cinder’s Corner Dispensary, notes frequent issues with parking tickets and harassment from homeless individuals, indicating a need for better security measures.
### Resident Experiences
Shelby Rayburn, a River Market resident, reported feeling unsafe in her neighborhood compared to when she moved back. Although she acknowledges that not all homeless individuals cause issues, she emphasizes the broader challenges faced by the community, including noise disturbances from vehicles.
### City Response
Josh Henges, the city’s chief impact officer, states that while the encampment’s closure allowed for an 80% housing placement rate, addressing disruptive behavior remains critical. He suggests that the city’s approach to homelessness goes beyond just finding housing.
### Official Statements
The Kansas City Police Department encourages residents to report any criminal behavior. Meanwhile, the City Market’s marketing director reassures the implementation of safety measures, including increased lighting and patrols.
The situation in the River Market highlights the complexities surrounding homelessness and public safety, prompting calls from both business owners and residents for city intervention to enhance safety and community well-being.
