WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:06 — 1.4MB)
Several dozen people gathered at Peoples Park yesterday evening, partly in response to increased police patrols in the area. The event was billed as a Community Picnic to Take Back Peoples Park. In recent weeks, the Bloomington Police Department has hired additional officers and focused patrols on Peoples Park, an area that has often been frequented by people experiencing homelessness. A flyer for yesterday’s event reads QUOTE “this recent increase in police intimidation is part of a larger effort to drive poor people out of public spaces so that commerce can continue without interruption” UNQUOTE. Organizers of a local Food Not Bombs group distributed free food to visitors at the picnic. One visitor, Angel Tapia, recalled being a regular visitor at the park, beginning in the 90s.
City administrators, including Mayor John Hamilton, have said the goal is to prevent illegal behavior, not to force people from the park. There have been complaints of public intoxication, drug use and fighting there. But many of the regular visitors did leave after police stepped up patrols. Some have moved to other areas on Kirkwood Avenue. Last night about 15 people were sitting or lying on the sidewalk in front of First Christian Church, about three blocks from Peoples Park. Police were visible throughout the picnic, with officers parked to the north of the park.
