7 News reporter DK Wright has
been following this story all
day, and she tells us
that's only the beginning.
[TAKE: TAKE DK PKG]
We saw roughly 118 calls for
service in and around those
camps.
Specifically there were
several assaults, six fugitives
at that time had been arrested
in those camps.
The
officers cannot enter those
camps without stepping over
hypodermic needles.
---
The signs urge the homeless to
turn to several
agencies--including
Project HOPE.
Project HOPE--an arm of the Ohio
County Health
Department--involves
their health, not their housing.
---
What we try not to do is inform
people this is where you go.
We just don't do that.
We just
make the recommendation you do
need to move.
---
The sign also refers them to the
Wheeling Coalition for the
Homeless.
---
Any person who wants to go to an
emergency shelter can come
through the
coalition.
---
Lisa Badia says they have rapid
re-housing.
They have special programs for
veterans, AIDS patients, and
people homeless due
to COVID.
But she says they must want the
help.
---
If they just really are into
their addiction or if they're
just not willing to alter their
behavior, any effort on our end
is really not gonna be very
positive.
---
She knows there is crime and
drug use and overdoses at the
camps.
She also knows...there's help.
---
I think there's a whole host of
organizations that really want
to help these folks in different
ways.
I think it's up to that person,
though, to say I'm tired of
living this way.
---
We're just there, as well as the
Homeless Coalition, to advise
them, here is your
next steps if we can help you.
---
Tearing out the homeless camps
happens periodically, but
doesn't solve the
problem,.
---
You know we tell 'em you can't
stay here, you gotta go
somewhere, but
where is that somewhere?
---
City Council Member Rosemary
Ketchum says referring them to
services they don't
qualify for...doesn't help.
She says it points out the need
to develop a proactive long-term
plan.
---
Or else these issues will begin
to define our city and I think
that it's hard to call ourselves
the Friendly City if we aren't
willing to act that way.
---
In Wheeling, DK Wright, for 7
News, Working For You.
STEPHANIE
DK thanks.
Chief Schwertfeger says it's not
an attack on anyone who is
homeless.
In his words, "I root for them,
I want them to find jobs and get
safe housing.
But we can't sit by and allow
these conditions to become any
more pervasive."
STEPHANIE
[TAKE VO]
VO
Looking across the mountain
state--
West Virginia is on track for a
heated political battle as
schools prepare to
