Corpus Christi Shelter Manager, Lisa Veaudry, has confirmed that the City of Boise with the help of police will start clearing out Cooper Court campers starting at 8 a.m. on December 4th after closing a block of West River Street between Americana and South 15th Street.
A press conference with Mayor Dave Bieter, and Chief of Police William Bones will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Ft. Boise Community Center to talk about the City's plans for the area.
Veaudry was told by the city that the tents have been erected to offer services to the homeless and making arrests were not a priority.
However, if a camper has a warrant or refuses to vacate the premises, then the Boise Police Department will have to enforce the law which could result in an arrest.
Protestors have begun to arrive at the tent city in attempt to stop the city from clearing out the area's homeless.
The shutdown began around 2:30 pm and multiple campers at Cooper Court contacted the 6 On Your Side newsroom fearing that the city was preparing to forcibly evict them after seeing large scale tents being erected by crews.
City officials are saying that they are concerned about the health and safety of Cooper Court residents.
The city is deeply concerned about the health & safety of Cooper Court residents. We have begun efforts to address the dangerous situation
— City of Boise (@CityOfBoise) December 3, 2015
A post from Jodi Margolin-Peterson, a volunteer at Interfaith Sanctuary, explained why Cooper Court residents are fearful.
"Cooper Court Update: Sadly, I was just informed that our friends at Cooper Court will be swept out of their homes this weekend by the City of Boise and our Police Department. What we need to do for them right now is help them hold on to the things that matter most to them. We need donations of backpacks and duffle bags so they can gather up what they are able to bring with them. We also need to help them label their tents and sleeping bags with their names so with the City removes them our friends can get them back. My fear is that many of our residents will scatter and we won't be able to take care of them. If there is any church out there willing to let some of our more medically fragile guests stay at night I will gladly find a way to support that building with volunteers to help manage the population. Please share to help us find one safe place for our most fragile! Thank you all for the love and support. I am crying as I write this. These people need each other and I am just so scared."
Cooper Court Update: Sadly, I was just informed that our friends at Cooper Court will be swept out of their homes this...
Posted by Jodi Margolin-Peterson on Thursday, December 3, 2015
In a follow up post, Peterson wrote that,
Cooper court update #2: River street from Americana to 14th has been closed down. The City of Boise is building some kind of temporary clearing station for our homeless on the street. It is hard to get things confirmed but it seems like this will be a processing center to take our homeless with warrants to jail and ask all the others to take their stuff and go. They delivered several dumpsters and I'm guessing those are to dispose of the items left behind by our guests who can't take everything with them. This honestly looks like a scene from a super scary out dated movie. The Cooper court residents are very scared. They see all of this happening but no one is willing to clarify things to ease their fears. This is very hard for those who already suffer from mental health issues. I will stay here with them and keep you posted should I learn anything else.
Cooper court updateRiver street from Americana to 14th has been closed down. The City of Boise is building some kind of...
Posted by Jodi Margolin-Peterson on Thursday, December 3, 2015
The homeless campers at Cooper Court are in violation of city code and officials have ramped up patrols in the area after an assault and several fires that have burned tents.
On November 17th, the City of Boise erected several fences near a dumpster and put up signs explaining that anyone blocking the public road could be fined and charged with a misdemeanor.
The ACLU of Idaho has organized a response to the street closure and want Idahoans to "TAKE ACTION."
TAKE ACTION: We need people to come down and witness @CityOfBoise's actions against residents of Cooper Court https://t.co/fB2NF6mBPm
— ACLU of Idaho (@acluidaho) December 4, 2015
Bring as many people as you can, bring signs, hot drinks and dress warm. We're prepared to be here as long as needed.
— ACLU of Idaho (@acluidaho) December 4, 2015
6 On Your Side is on scene to find out more.
