It’s a desperate outdoor scene from Hillsborough County Superior Court, the November weather doesn’t help.
Approximately two dozen tents cluster between the sidewalk and the edge of the courthouse, a homeless camp one block from Manchester’s main advertising street. As the rain falls, other people who have called this area a transitional home since the summer continue their way.
“I crossed the river before we were chased,” says a guy with a gray sweatshirt who refused to give his name. “The cops don’t like us being by the train tracks, that’s why we got here. people came here, so they kicked us out.
On November 6, symptoms were issued to warn the citizens of the 10-day camp. On the 16th, everyone will have to faint, on the order of the state.
“They put an eviction signal saying they were going to evict us, no matter what assets they leave here, they’re going to destroy them. That’s all. They gave us no choice, nowhere to go, nothing else to do,” he added. said the boy in gray. ” So now we’re going to do what we have to do. “
Manchester has launched a municipal ordinance and curfews that prevent others from spending the night in the maximum parks. However, the courthouse is technically the heritage of the state, where those regulations do not apply.
Camping is still prohibited, under state law, however, the lack of beds in nearby homeless shelters, as well as the CDC’s recommendation not to dismantle homeless camps due to the pandemic, has led to weeks of handshakes and increasing criticism of several public officials on how to vacate the camp.
“I can sense the grievance and frustration they feel out the window and see that it looks like a dumpster,” said a guy named John, who’s been camping here for a month. “I can sense that. But other people still have to have a position to live, or at least rest their heads.
Police are present at the scene and there have been destructive crimes: some damaged windows, public urination, vandalism, but nothing more serious has been reported.
Extension staff are on the floor and some others have been moved to shelters, while others take their places in the camp.
“I hope I don’t stay here long, I’m not the type to do that,” John said. “I’m going to stand up again. I’ll find a job, I’ll have a place. just a painting in progress. “
As he speaks, a car stops and shows off his trunk, a woman comes out and announces that he has blank blankets for anyone who wants them.
“We only had blankets and to throw them away, we washed them. I think I’d bring them here,” says Nickie Lamere of Hooksett.
“People think they’re lazy. No one to be in this situation. I think you have to prevent and put yourself in the shoes of others from time to time. “
Good Samaritans are normal in the camp, according to John, and there’s a charity dining room nearby.
A guy named Keith is standing on the edge of the camp, smoking a cigarette and using a pint of strawberries.
“It’s been about two months, I’ve been homeless for a year and a half.
It’s my own problem,” Keith says. “It is what it is. “
Keith assumes that 90% of the population of this camp are active drug users, but it should not be verified. Untreated intellectual disease is also widespread.
Keith says he’s not interested in a shelter right now, even if there’s a bed available, and says they’re too restrictive. On Tuesday, a state-led team will arrive at nine a. m. to leave the area blank.
Keith’s going to be blank, too. He still doesn’t know where he’s going.
“Sometimes it’s not that bad here, ” he said, “it could be worse. “
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