Residents urge Monroe County commissioners to pause winter encampment evictions; board hears requests but takes no immediate vote

Dozens of Monroe County residents urged the Board of Commissioners on Dec. 4 to pause notices of planned evictions at multiple unhoused encampments, saying the county’s actions could endanger people during winter and asking the board to put a formal stay on the removals until spring.

Shelby Porteroff, a Bloomington resident, told commissioners the evictions are scheduled for Monday, Dec. 8, and asked the board to use “Monroe County Code 2571” to stay enforcement. “These folks have their materials in place and solidified to survive the winter,” Porteroff said, adding that local emergency shelters are full and volunteer staffing is insufficient. “In the spring, it’s warmer and we don’t have to worry about our community members dying.”

Other speakers described personal experience or regular outreach to people living in encampments and warned of medical harms and logistical impossibilities if residents are forced to move with one week’s notice. Amara Briscoe, who said she had been homeless in Bloomington and stayed at Friends Place, said shelter entry is often first-come, first-served and transportation is a barrier for many. “People are freezing outside,” Briscoe said. “People have lost their lives due to the cold.”

Several speakers referenced past instances when winter encampment removals were followed by fatalities and urged the board to invoke the county code and delay action. Gabriel, a resident who framed his appeal in religious and moral terms, said officials would be “culpable” in the event of winter deaths and described frostbite and health risks associated with prolonged cold exposure.

County staff described the standard encampment-notice and cleanup process. Ms. Purdy said staff notify the sheriff’s office, Health Net and school resource officers when an encampment is reported. Outreach workers have been meeting with people on site and staff confirmed there is shelter availability, Purdy said, but acknowledged some individuals decline those options. Purdy added that personal belongings left during a cleanup are held for one week and can be reclaimed by the owner.

Commissioners thanked commenters and acknowledged the complexity of balancing public health, public safety and neighbors’ concerns; they did not vote to stay the evictions during the meeting. The chair said the office has received calls both urging postponement and supporting enforcement by neighbors who reported disrupted peace.

The board recessed briefly during the public-comment period to restore order; after reconvening, the meeting moved on to routine agenda business. The transcript records no formal motion or vote to delay the scheduled evictions on Dec. 8.

What happens next: Staff and enforcement partners (sheriff, Health Net) retain responsibility for outreach and execution of posted actions; concerned residents and advocates requested a board vote to add a stay to an agenda but the board indicated it takes public comment during this period and will consider concerns through existing processes.