Chris Coppola

The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX — On a recent 90-degree fall afternoon, golfers walked the fairways of the Rolling Hills golf course in Tempe, unaware of the people living less than 100 feet away.

On the other side of the golf course's chain-link fence, in a desert ravine within Tempe's portion of Papago Park, several camps set up by homeless individuals lay under the cover of Mesquite and Ironwood trees that provide protection from the sun.

About a mile south, alongside Tempe's Crosscut Canal recreational path, several more visible camp sites were tucked inside another ravine, some elaborate enough to suggest the occupants didn't plan to leave anytime soon, others abandoned.

Pieces of wood, cardboard, tarp, brush and other materials — one had a rusty box spring as a wall — were common, along with piles of blankets, clothing or trash.

Since June, the situation has become a fact of life for Craig Hayton, Tempe parks manager. A population of homeless individuals began staying in areas of Papago Park in Tempe where native brush mixes with non-native plants in ravines and irrigation ditches, providing cover. The city has no clear estimate about how many people may be living in the park, but city officials intend to gather data on that.

The issue drew heightened attention after a June fire burned several trees in a riparian area near the Arizona Historical Society Museum adjacent to the park.

The situation has stirred an outcry from nearby residents, some who say they are afraid to use the park and want action from the city. Hayton's department has worked to address the issue, periodically moving in to clean up trash left behind by people who abandon camps after police ask them to move along. But it doesn't take long for people to fill in again.

“We’ve seen more aggressive behavior from some of these homeless people. There are big men who feel uncomfortable walking there,'' said Darlene Justus, a north Tempe resident who worked with others to lobby the City Council earlier this year to designate the park as a protected area.

34 tons of trash

Hayton said his department has collected about 34 tons of trash from the desert camps since June, and the cleanup is ongoing.

"Our goal is to not have any active camps when we leave,'' Hayton said, during a recent tour of the area with The Arizona Republic.

On Oct. 31, there were eight to 10 active or abandoned camp sites and trash piles along two separate ravines a few hundred feet long.

"Most of it is laborious. You can't get any vehicles in there. You have to pull everything out,'' Hayton said, describing cleanup efforts. "We're now going into places where there are ravines and active camps, with more of a possibility of interaction with someone.''

Hayton said park workers do not approach any camps until Tempe police first make contact with people living there, giving them advance warning that a cleanup effort will take place in a few days and encouraging them to move on.

The Republic approached several camps while walking with Hayton that appeared active, but had no occupants. One site displayed a sign advising people to keep out. City officials said it's likely that many people leave the camps during the day to receive services and collect more items for their site, returning at night.

On a subsequent visit, a reporter again walking the area met Michael Roinestad, 32, who said he came to Phoenix from Minneapolis in late October. He had moved to different areas, taking odd jobs, but hadn't been homeless for very long, he said. After staying in central Phoenix for a few weeks, he said, someone suggested Tempe might prove better.

"It's been really hard to find sleep and safety. Coming to Tempe was a breath of fresh air,'' he said. "A friend had pointed this area out to me as a possibility where I might be able to wash up my feet and wash my clothes.

"This sort of lifestyle is what I crave. I enjoy the freedom of camping, and it gives me an opportunity to connect and meet with people.''

He also criticized those who do not clean up after themselves.

"Homeless people should not litter or show disrespect because they feel disrespected," Roinestad said.

Hayton said police have not cited people for setting up camps. At the direction of the City Council, Tempe practices "compassionate enforcement," meaning a person cannot be cited simply for being homeless.

Instead, Tempe officers approach individuals and advise them to vacate because crews will be cleaning the area. Police also provide information on available services.

A city ordinance prohibits urban camping, said city spokeswoman Nikki Ripley.

Tempe police officials did not respond to requests for comment. The Police Department has one officer who patrols Papago and other city parks.

Assessing homeless population

City officials say they are taking steps to address the city's homeless population in partnership with local social-service agencies and businesses. The issue drew renewed attention early this year when downtown businesses raised complaints about young people sitting along sidewalks on Mill Avenue day and night.

However, the biggest challenge involves the estimated 10% of individuals categorized as "chronic'' homeless, who account for about 50% of the city resources, said Kim Van Nimwegen, homeless coordinator. For those who don't seek help, the city cannot force it upon them, she said.

“People who are living on the streets or in encampments, in general, they have been homeless for a very long time. And, unfortunately, they get very good at being homeless,'' she said.

Van Nimwegen said the chronic population often includes people with mental illnesses, depression, physical disabilities and drug or alcohol addictions.

“The idea of going into a shelter and sleeping where you’re a foot away from a person, that can be nearly impossible for some of them,'' she said.

City officials, working with several City Council members, are exploring options for providing temporary or permanent housing for homeless individuals as well as other programs, she said.