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Residents press Monroe County officials over homeless encampment; county cites legal limits, recommends private suits
Summary
Residents told the Monroe County Commission about sewage, trespass and safety concerns at a homeless encampment on Old Highway 11 in Philadelphia; county officials and the sheriff's office said they have limited authority on private property and urged use of private nuisance suits or criminal complaints when violations occur.
Jill Myers, a resident of Satterberg Road and Old Highway 11, told the Monroe County Commission that a homeless encampment on private property in Philadelphia has caused theft, trespassing, sewage and safety problems and asked what options neighbors have to protect their families.
The county's attorney and the sheriff's office responded that county authority is constrained when an encampment is on private land and recommended private civil suits or reporting criminal violations for enforcement. The county attorney said citizens can file private nuisance suits and urged residents to report law violations so the sheriff's office can investigate.
Why it matters: Neighbors described repeated local public-health and safety concerns that they say are not being addressed by county codes or immediate law-enforcement action. Commissioners and staff said the county does not…
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