Charlotte Douglas Airport policy may give police authority to remove homeless people
As passengers picked up luggage Tuesday afternoon from noisy carousels at the Charlotte airport, Willis Mobley sat in the baggage claim area covered in a blue blanket, next to his belongings — with nowhere to go.
Over the past four months, from time to time, Mobley has been living inside the busy hub, he told a Charlotte Observer reporter.
Mobley is among many people who are experiencing homelessness and seeking shelter at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
But that may change soon. Airport officials are working on a new rule where Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers can remove them from the property.
“I think it’s kind bad they would do that to people who have no place to go and can’t help themselves,” Mobley said. “It’s bad in Charlotte and if they can go to the shelter, it’s just as worse as being on the streets. You got bedbugs that bite and they get all through your stuff.”
Aviation Director Haley Gentry discussed the issue with City Council members during the business meeting on Monday.
Gentry told members that the airport is seeing an increase in people living at the facility and blames increased square footage and the lobby expansion, The Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC reported.
The situation has been going on for many years and there are more homeless visitors during the colder months, she said.
The presence of homelessness is not unusual among airports across the country, an airport spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer.
“The potential policy referenced at last night’s council dinner briefing is to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public, our staff and our tenants and service providers by limiting those who are in the terminal to people with a business purpose,” a spokesperson said in an email.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg region has a little more than 3,000 people experiencing homeless according to a February point-in-time count. That number is lower than the previous year which was closer to 4,000.
Charlotte Douglas Airport’s aviation director has the legal authority to set policies, procedures, rules and regulations according city ordinances. The policy may be implemented under those rules and will be made in partnership with CMPD.
“This is something that has been implemented at numerous airports across the country,” an airport spokesperson said.
Changes may start in June, Gentry told city officials.
The airport joined community partners in outreach efforts and works with Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte to help people experiencing homelessness. The organization provides street level contact and connects people who may need assistance through a network of service providers.
Airport worker Sheldon Thomas, who noted there are more who come at night seeking shelter, asked why Charlotte developers are always putting up new buildings, but no massive structures for the homeless.
“I used to be homeless myself for two years,” he said while showing empathy. “They need to do more. It looks bad for our city. You’re building nice places, but the homeless have nowhere to go.”
While airport officials make new plans, Mobley is staying optimistic about his living situation. He’s on a waiting list for an apartment through a housing program.
“God willing,” he said.
