VIDEO: Compassion Despite Litigation: Mayor Akerman Seeks Placement for Tent City’s Residents

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Despite the ongoing and pending litigation and the action from Township and other officials regarding Tent City, Mayor Albert Akerman adds yet another – and compassionate twist to the story.

“People in Tent City are living in sub-human conditions, and we were shocked at what we found”, said Mayor Akerman in an exclusive video with TLS. So, “as compassionate people, we decided that we’re going to try and place as many people as we can as soon as possible. ”

The Mayor says he’s working diligently with private concerned citizens, the County and with local Pastors in order to try and find placement for the homeless.

“Our hearts go out to the people living in Tent City, and we hope we can find better placement for them”, the Mayor said, acknowledging that it may be a difficult task. “As human beings, we have to try.”

Next week, despite the refiling of a lawsuit and continued litigation, the Mayor plans on meeting with the aforementioned individuals in hopes of bringing a reasonable solution to the seemingly never-ending problem.

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21 COMMENTS

  1. Good job Mayor! we hope to see an end to the madness that is tent city, with hopes that the homeless will get the right help they need and move ahead to live better lives. Can’t wait to have a smoke-free home! – a neighbor

  2. How bout identifying the Town the tent city resident came from and having them contribute to the cost of this endeavor? Or possibly relocate the tent city resident back to their home town so the burden is shared and not put on the backs of the Lakewood taxpayer. Just a thought.

  3. Number 5. No one in Lakewood is from Lakewood. If only people born in New Jersey were to receive support no one would be here! Be realistic.

  4. They don’t want to be placed in homes or be given housing!! That
    would mean they would have to participate in required programs and get a job!! We all know that’s not going to happen!!
    However, I applaud the Mayor for doing something!! The time is now to take a stand!!

  5. Sadly, not all tent city residents want to be “placed” anywhere. Additionally, based on my own personal experience, there are residents who have chosen to live in this setting and “lifestyle.”

  6. what will you be told to move next ??? Might I suggest coming up with an alternative to tent city with a shelter that includes a roof and meals. Lakewood has plenty of space available in or around Energy Park. Why not use this land-

  7. This action appears to be a compassionate, doable, path to relocating the residents of Tent City into housing of some kind, where they can hopefully get the help that is needed.

    Thank you, Mayor Ackerman

  8. Genuine, kind interaction, action and G-dly outcomes will prove the compassion.
    I am deeply grieved that the town has been so unkind to minister Steve who has poured out his life to save the lives of the others in Tent City and the township instead of being kind tries to fine him personally for all the people there. He should not be getting fines. Minister Steve has by other officials been awarded for his lifesaving, sacraficial efforts. He has done more than any person many of us know to spend time with and on the behalf of theses people daily to make sure that they don’t freeze or starve to death. He pours out his heart and life daily to G-d asking for the L-rd to deliver the people of Tent City safely into affordable, safe housing . Let us see some real compassion and recognition of G-dly efforts instead of fines and threats.
    How about giving Tent CIty money to turn it into a nice campgroud or mobile home park with electirc and drinkable water and bathrooms, etc. Is that really too much to as of the officials? You would actually for once be reall heros who did something. What is right is right. You do this for animals in shelters, can you not recognize the priorties that humans are more important than animals, parks, and other things you all raise money for, etc. Very rarely do I speak out in this manner on FB or TLS. Perhaps some who actually cares and actually will take action will be moved in heart, mind and motives to resolve the shelter circumstances. If anyone wants to speak to me on this matter feel free to contact me anytime as long as they have appropriate motives in contacting me at email or at website contact page. Shalom.

  9. A campground would be the perfect answer, they could be housed for very little, check out where the Fema trailers will be going when no longer needed, people could donate them for tax write-offs, contract with a local RV dealer for service and upkeep. Make them pay rent, even if it’s $100.00 a month, put in a section where regular people could camp generating revenue…strict rules with responsibility for the upkeep….these people would be very grateful for a warm spot to call their own…I am sure they would cooperate. Plus harness all the talents these people have, they weren’t born homeless, many just fell into a hopeless, helpless situation.

  10. Pastor T – life’s about choice if a/1 should know that it outa b u so they CHOOSE 2 b homeless responsibleless joblessless higeneless etc …..who are we to take away freedom of choice !? But we do have a right to send them flying outa here cause we don’t have 2 take the stench among other animalistic
    behaviors !

  11. I am deeply grieved that minister Steve’s well intentioned actions are impacting the health and safety of so many law abiding residents. The Township is not attacking him personally. They are trying to end a growing problem. Tent City is tresspassers on environmentally sensitive land. The NJDEP will not allow any development on that property. There will never be a shelter or campground there. The resolution of the homeless problem is not a Lakewood issue. It should be resolved by the County or State. Lakewood is in this situation because of people taking advantage of Lakewoods compassion in the past. Most other towns would have not allowed the first tent. Thank you mayor for working toward the best possibl solution.

Comments are closed.