VIDEOS & PHOTOS: Judge Foster at Tent City Hearing: Progress Made Between Parties; Consent Order Will Allow Homeless to Stay for Now

PHOTOS & VIDEOS: [UPDATED SATURDAY EVENING] A County Judge this afternoon announced that progress was made in the Lakewood Vs Tent City litigation, though there was no definite outcome.

A packed courtroom – comprised of Tent City’s neighbors and Tent City supporters – waited about an hour for the Hearing to begin, during which time attorneys representing the parties met with Judge Joseph Foster to discuss the progress made.

Though no specifics were discussed, Judge Foster in the approximately five minute Hearing thanked Mike McNiel of STEPS for helping bring the parties together to form an agreement.

Both parties seemed to be hopeful for a positive outcome to the ongoing issue.

“I believe Lakewood will be happy with the terms of the settlement agreement if we could come up with it,” said Township Attorney Mike Dicico following the hearing. “It will accomplish precisely what Lakewood wants to accomplish, and that is the placement of the homeless who reside in Tent City into indoor housing and to have a sunset day for the closure of Tent City, with no further occupants being brought into Tent City.”

The camp’s founder Steve Brigham acknowledged the fact that there wasn’t much of a decision today, but was hopeful a permanent solution is coming.

“So it looks like things are status quo for now,” said Brigham, adding that he hopes a shelter could be built for the homeless soon. “They built the Empire State Building in a year and 45 days, I think they can rehab a building or build something for the homeless in a quick period of time.”

The Judge also announced that another Hearing date was set for May 3rd. Until then, the homeless will not be evicted, as per the consent order. Photos by TLS/Videos by TLS and Pool by Tom Costello.

VIDEO 1: Judge Foster in Court.
 

VIDEO 2: Statements by Lakewood Attorney and Camp’s Founder.

 

 

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11 COMMENTS

  1. From what I understand it a matter of time until the homeless get placed in legal comfortable housing so they win ……
    Lakewood also wins as homeless win and neighbors are happy as tent city is no more

  2. I am very sympathetic to the plight of the homeless, but i want to know who is funding this shelter? i sure hope it isn’t Lakewood.

  3. Remember there for the grace God go I. We can all be in this situation at anytime. I speak from my own experiences with the economy. And I do want to thank God for a roof over my head for now.

    Also, this is protected land that can not be built on, so if they go, it will remain intact. Please, please put yourselves in these peoples place for just a moment……

  4. I believe that this is the best deal that we could have gotten. It is a win/win. The homeless will now get the help needed to transition into another opportunity to be a self respecting member of society. The land will now revert back to Lakewood Township, who will quickly secure the area from further incursion.

    Residents have also won, because Tent City will no longer exist.

    Mayor Ackerman is to be commended for his strength, his vision, and his wisdom regarding this matter, It is ending on a good note, where everyone agrees. This could have been a disaster, with media accounts of LPD dragging the homeless out of Tent City.

    Here is to you, Mayor Ackerman! You did yourself proud.

  5. the only thing that got done is the can got kicked down the road. All talk, no action, this will be here for a few more years, but I hope I’m wrong.

  6. i dont understand, Bill. there does not appear to be a resolution at all.
    btw, from my understanding the Tent City people are not just down on their luck nice people. They are druggies and alcoholics that dont want to be in homeless shelters because there theyhave to follow rules cannot do their drugs…

  7. Tent City will be there so long it will become a retirement community. Nothing was done and nothing will be done, no one wants to be accused of being heartless throwing theses people off the land.

  8. shmichelfoofer, unless you have firsthand knowledge and have actually met and spoken to the people who reside in Tent City, please refrain from making such derogratory statements.

Comments are closed.