ST. PAUL, MN — St. Paul’s shutdown of the Pig’s Eye Park encampment pushed dozens of people to another camp off Randolph Avenue and Shepherd Road, where a longtime resident said the population doubled. The new crowding came after the city closed Pig’s Eye on Wednesday over public safety concerns.
The Randolph site sits near Waterford Bay Apartments, and tenants there said they have noticed more police activity in the area. Some residents described a sharper rise in 911 calls and more day-to-day tension since the encampment grew.
Tenants Notice More Activity
Gabby Anderson, who lives at Waterford Bay, said the situation has become harder to ignore as the camp expanded. She said people in the building have concerns about car break-ins and reports of people entering the building.
Kevin Garcia, another tenant, said most interactions are peaceful and added that he understands people in the encampment are trying to get by. Still, he said the increase in police presence has been noticeable.
City Says Closures Will Continue
Several people living at the Randolph encampment told WCCO they want to stay to themselves and are trying to build a sense of community while they work toward stable housing. City officials and Ramsey County said they could not say how many people asked for shelter beds after Pig’s Eye closed.
The city says it is spending at least $1 million to add shelter capacity. Officials say the encampments are too dangerous to remain open and that closures will continue at Randolph and other large sites.
Lawmakers Question The Plan
State Rep. Leigh Finke, who represents parts of St. Paul, said she wanted the Pig’s Eye closure delayed or canceled. She argued that moving people from one encampment to another is not a real solution without more stable housing options.
City leaders say their response pairs encampment closures with outreach before, during and after each move. In a statement, Mayor Kaohly Her said every person was offered shelter and resources and that the city’s work on health and safety will continue.
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