Michael Bushnell
Contributor
BREAKING— Kansas City City Crews were hard at work Thursday morning, Nov. 21 at the intersection of Chouteau Trafficway and Belmont Boulevard — clearing a large homeless encampment along the east bluff of Kessler Park.
Upwards of 30 people had lived in this camp up until approximately one month ago when the city began to offer services and relocation assistance to camp residents before coming in to clear the camp today, according to sources at the scene, Thursday.
Only eight residents remained in the camp and were offered services before City crews began the ardent work of clearing the massive camp, which extended all the way out to below Indian Mound Neighborhood.
Kansas City Police officers were on the scene in case any issues arose. The effort — considered a multi-disciplinary task force — involved the Kansas City Public Works Department, Kansas City Parks and Recreation and KCPD.
This work will continue throughout the day as city workers break down campsites by hand along the bluff.
Guardrails, barricades and other barriers will be installed and trees will be removed to discourage resettlement in this area, according to a source at the scene.
Today’s effort involved roughly 20 city workers and a plethora of City equipment.