Homeless encampment cleared in front of vacant Downtown Columbia storefront
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A homeless encampment outside of the former Glik's Boutique in Downtown Columbia drew the attention of authorities Friday.
And shop owners say the camp is a problem for surrounding businesses.
Management at El Fogon Veracruzano and Kent's Floral Gallery told ABC 17 News the unwanted neighbors have affected hurt their business and bothered customers. Management of Wingin' Out, across the street from the vacant storefront, said they had to close their bathrooms to the public because of improper use and vandalism.
One man staying in the encampment who only gave the nickname Frog said he came to stay at the encampment temporarily. At 63 years old, he has been homeless for the last 18 months.
"There's half a dozen camps I go to, I've got two or three myself but I stay away from there right now because they are doing a lot of construction work down by the bowling alley," Frog said.
While there are multiple resources available to the homeless in Columbia, Frog said he hasn't had the best experiences with them.
"That's why I stay away from them. They help people like me get into homes, but then they just bend you over and take you for a ride, you know? I'm just too old to go through that," Frog said.
Local advocates say homelessness is on the rise in Columbia. As of November, the Boone County Coalition to End Homelessness says there were 347 people experiencing homelessness in the county, up from 189 people in October 2023.
A national report released Friday says homelessness hit a record high this year.
Frog was later arrested by the Columbia Police Department on suspicion of trespassing on the property. An officer said police wrote Frog a ticket that included a date to appear in court.
The offense of trespassing in the first degree is a class B misdemeanor and trespassing in the second degree is an infraction under Missouri law.
The encampment outside the vacant storefront was cleaned up Friday afternoon after the people living there were removed.
A representative for the building owner, the City of Columbia and advocates for the homeless did not respond to requests for comment.
