County Tries to Accommodate Homeless Around County Parks Until Complaints Surface

In response to a reader inquiry about the Warren County government cracking down on the presence of homeless people in county parks to the extent of them not even being allowed to use public restrooms, we contacted County Administrator Ed Daley and Parks & Recreation Director Dan Lenz.

First, we asked Daley if, in fact, the County had initiated any policies that might be interpreted as making the county’s homeless citizens’ lives even more difficult than they already are. Daley replied that the County’s “concern is everyone’s safety, and that includes the homeless.” He then continued to address some situations that have arisen in specific locations that have impacted the use of public restroom facilities and general access to and around County property.

“We have had some facilities at 15th and 8th Streets vandalized to the degree they need to be repaired/replaced. There is no formal policy to remove things – but if it is broken, we can’t use it. We will be replacing them, but I’m not sure exactly when,” Daley began on the status of facilities currently unusable to not only the homeless but anyone in those areas in need of a pit stop.

Replying to questions, County Administrator Ed Daley, above, and Parks and Rec Director Dan Lenz have explained to Royal Examiner that the county government does not have a policy barring the homeless from public facilities and park areas. However, when citizen complaints have been filed concerning specific actions by individuals believed homeless in certain areas, county officials have responded. – Royal Examiner File Photo

“The county is focused on all park users, not the homeless, since we see vandalism from a wide variety of people,” County Parks & Recreation Department Director Lenz added about current efforts to address an ongoing pattern of abuse of public park facilities. “We will be implementing some additional lighting and cameras, which we received from a grant, in order for us to deter the vandalism that has been occurring and also provide a safe environment for our employees at the facilities. See more facilities info at the end of the story.

County Parks & Recreation Department Director Dan Lenz

“County staff are in the process of updating the Code of Conduct created in 2018 regarding the use of all parks, open spaces, and facilities owned and operated by Parks & Recreation. It will be a part of the November work session/board meeting,” Lenz pointed out of the effort to update the code to address evolving patterns of public behavior.

“We kindly request the assistance of our community members in keeping an eye out and reporting any unusual activity. Our parks are a shared treasure. Let’s join together to keep them pristine and welcoming for all!” Parks & Rec Director Lenz wrote of what he hopes evolves into a community-wide effort to maintain these community assets.

And with Lenz’s observation that park vandalism have been identified with “a wide variety of people,” it might be to the benefit of the homeless who see questionable behavior in County facilities they may be somewhat dependent on to alert the nearest County employee to what they have seen, so as not to be misidentified as the perpetrator because they were in the area at the time.

But it has also been community members who have alerted County staff to issues believed to involve homeless citizens, County Administrator Daley points out. “Parents kept calling about dwellers bothering elementary-age kids, and parents were concerned,” Daley said of incidents reported in the 8th and 15th Street park areas. “We try to leave the dwellers alone, but if they bother the kids – then the mama bears come out quickly.”

Looking north at the 15th St. Health & Human Services complex at the old middle school location with the football field and track to the right. Below, looking south toward the adjacent neighborhood, whose residents utilize the county area access, field, and track abutting the undeveloped property to the north. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

Another example cited by the county administrator involved property near, as well as at, the County-owned golf course. “They were in the woods at the top of the golf course and stayed to themselves. Then, they started coming down to the clubhouse and approaching individual women near the clubhouse. The women called the sheriff’s office, and we asked them to leave.”

This reporter observed to the county administrator that it sounded like the moral of the homeless wanderings story is, don’t unnecessarily bother neighboring women or kids, don’t do drugs or start tearing stuff up in public facilities, and we’ll leave you be. — Break those simple rules, and you will be asked to relocate, as would any citizen breaking those rules.

“While there are complex reasons contributing to the homeless population and a number of resources provided through Warren County, including an App of resources (Warren County, VA Resources), which connect users with partners depending on their specific needs, there is still a population in our community who remain homeless. The County strives to ensure that we are providing the same level of services to all residents regardless of their living situation. We are stewards of the tax dollars that are paid to the County, and we want to ensure the facilities and services are available for all and taken care of by all. We set the same expectations for all persons and expect them to follow the rules or lose access to the facilities. The facilities in the county are funded by the taxpayers, and we are responsible for ensuring we protect them so they remain available for everyone to continue to use,” Daley replied of the guidelines in place trying to accommodate the situation of the community’s homeless when gaps in public or private sector assistance appear, while at the same time addressing concerns of neighboring citizens about specific interactions with some of the community’s homeless citizens.

Posting on the use of park facilities

In his reply to us, Lenz included this information on restroom facilities posted on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page on August 24:

Regarding the restrooms … After months of property destruction and vandalism this season, we are sad to report that our restroom facilities will close to the public at the following locations:

– Lions Park/Fantasyland

– Health and Human Services Complex

– Skyline Soccerplex

– Chimney Field Park

Portable restrooms are available at these locations. Restroom facilities will be available during special events and youth sports league use.