Neighbors speak on encampment issues along railroad in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — People in a neighborhood near Glenstone Avenue and Grand Street in Springfield are looking for solutions to what they say has been an ongoing issue in their area. 

Multiple neighbors near the intersection of Kentwood Avenue and Madison Street told Ozarks First people are living in overgrown vegetation along the railroad tracks behind their homes.

Laurel Bryant is the vice president of the Rountree Neighborhood Association. She said the situation is concerning for both the neighborhood as well as the people in near the railroad.

"As a community, we should all be talking about this because it's not a Rountree problem or a 'this side of town problem' or 'that side of town problem.' It's a Springfield problem and it's all over," said Bryant.

One neighbor requested her identity be kept private, but said she's experienced the disturbance get increasingly worse over the last six months.

While she said she wishes she could help the people who are left to live in this condition, she does not personally have the connections to help the unsheltered people who are staying in the area.

She told Ozarks First herself, alongside other neighbors, are concerned for the people's safety who are sleeping beside the railroad. Concerns for sanitation revolve around trash and sewage.

"This one is just way too close to these families that live through here," said Bryant.

Bryant stressed the neighborhood has empathy for the people staying in the brush and has dropped off resource packets to help them find shelter.

"I think people need a place to live," said Bryant. "I think low-income housing is hard to find. Healthy housing is hard to find for people. And it's heartbreaking."

Bryant said they have looked into potentially clearing the brush and trash as a neighborhood. Now they've contacted the railroad and hope to get their attention.

"They are spread very thin, is my understanding," said Bryant. "So getting the attention of them to clear out the easement area next to the railroad is, you know, maybe it'll happen this year. We have no idea."

Springfield City Councilman Abe McGull brought the issue up at the council meeting on Monday, July 28, asking the new city manager, David Cameron to look into fixing the issue. 

"The railroad tracks along that section that's been overgrown with bamboo is now being used as a location for people to hang out and stay there. But they're causing some sort of disturbance for the neighbors in that area at that intersection. Could you look into that for me? " said McGull.

A neighbor told Ozarks First they have contacted the officer for the area, city council and are looking to work out a solution with the railroad to cut back vegetation.

The City of Springfield told Ozarks First they have contacted the railroad and are sill looking into the situation.