Little Rock business owner said homeless encampment continues to be a ‘safety concern’
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A restaurant owner said a growing homeless encampment in Rock Creek Trail is a safety concern she wants resolved soon.
Lazy Pete’s co-owner Susan Edwards said a homeless encampment near her business continues to be an issue.
“We saw more and more problems, more trash, more disasters back here,” Edwards said.
With some clothes and trash hanging from trees, the homeless encampment is in the trail we first covered in July of 2023, only that was with a different business owner.
“This has taken away from our summer camp, just because it has become such a nuisance and a threat,” Rock City MMA owner Nathan Kirby said.
Last year, Leland Couch, director of Little Rock Parks Recreation, said the encampment was made after the park closed due to damage from the Mar. 31 tornado and were trying to fix the issue which they said would take a couple of weeks.
Little Rock Mayor hopes to combat homelessness with Holistic Housing Initiative
However, after nearly a year, Edwards said it’s still a danger.
“We have experienced slash tires around the property, other property damage, and we have seen used needles and other things like used condoms. I do want answers (from the city),” Edwards said.
The City of Little Rock shared a statement on its ongoing plans to fix the issue.
“Because city ordinances prohibit camping within city parks, our homelessness engagement specialists have been working to make sure individuals at that location have resources and support to relocate before the encampment is removed,” the statement read. “That has taken place in recent weeks, and the City is planning to clear the area early next week.”
Hope for the Homeless: How Little Rock, community groups are helping the unhoused
Edwards said a decrease of this homeless encampment will be positive evidence of the city’s response to this ongoing problem.
“We want to be compassionate and empathic with anyone that faces homelessness, but we also want to be safe. The behavior and remains of what they are doing is not safe,” Edwards said.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
