Homeless Moved From Camps Along Route 37
Social Services provided temporary housing to those who qualify
About 10 to 15 homeless persons were evacuated from the wooded areas off of Route 37 in Toms River, according to Brother Mike Williams, of the More to Life Ministry.
Relocations began Tuesday and concluded Wednesday.
Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said the move was prompted by the owners of the properties where the two encampments exist — near the bus station south of Water Street and in the wooded area between James Street and Route 37 near Route 166.
“We have a few who are trespassing on private property,” Mastronardy said, “and the property owners do not want the liability and have posted 'No Trespassing' signs.”
The larger of the camps was off Route 37, behind James Street and behind the plazas of Blockbuster and McDonalds, where about 10 people resided in an encampment that was several years old. Another encampment was near the bus station off West Water Street on property belonging to the Municipal Utilities Authority.
Mastronardy said the county’s Board of Social Services was brought in to assist the people who are being removed from those sites.
“We gave them rides to Social Services and they have been offered assistance,” he said.
Meredith Sheehan, supervisor of social work at the Ocean County Board of Social Services, confirmed there was an outreach made to provide information about services to people who qualify. "Anyone who may have come in was seen by a worker here to determine if they were eligible for our services. If they were eligible, we have provided temporary shelter."
Those that applied for assistance were granted help in the form of housing and various programs for the duration of at least six months to one year, depending on the specific individuals circumstances, Williams said.
A 60-year-old man, one of the homeless who resides at the camp, will be taken to a motel in Seaside Heights.
Many of the others have set up a new encampment in an undisclosed area in Toms River, aided by supporters.
"I will be there for them to help them through it all along the way," Williams said. "I have been frequenting the camps, providing help and hope to those in need for about the last three years or so without any problems from the township or police until recently."
"As it seems, it was all done with good intentions and with the hope that those that need it most could get the necessary help and wouldn't have to continue to resort to living in a tent in the woods," Williams said.
Members of the Rugged Cross motorcycle club also assisted, providing transportation to some of the individuals forced to move.
Police said removing individuals from the land came without incident. "No Trespassing" signs were recently placed at both camps and regular police visits to the camp were made to the camp, and Williams said a 10-day deadline was given to relocate.
jennifer
7:32 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
quote: "Meredith Sheehan, supervisor of social work at the Ocean County Board of Social Services, confirmed there was an outreach made to provide information about services to people who qualify. "Anyone who may have come in was seen by a worker here to determine if they were eligible for our services. If they were eligible, we have provided temporary shelter."
I wonder which of these individuals wouldn't be eligible? They are homeless, how else would they need to be eligible?
Securevelope
1:00 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
I think known sex offenders are not allowed to stay in shelters. Especially those who have crimes against children because families with kids would reside in the shelters.
NJSocWkr
10:55 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Ocean County has no shelter - using "eligibility" is a sham to avoid providing services. Ocean County is being sued by Atlantic County for putting homeless on a bus and sending them down there, one way, with no promise of care. In Monmouth County, there is a county-run emergency shelter for homeless individuals, but they must be free of alcohol and drug, have never been convicted of a crime, and be willing to give up most of the posessions they have collected over time and be split up from a partner (shelter is gender based). Homeless who are "eligible" in Ocean County means that they can never, in their entire lives, have used up all their access to social service emergency funds (which equates to about 6 months of help). Not helpful is you are in your 50's or 60's and may have used services as a young adult or along the way, but find yourself in need again. Bottom line, many of these individuals have other issues that include but are not limited to unemployment/underemployment, lack of job skills, mental health disorders untreated with no access to care or medication, no support networks, alcohol or substance abuse (often to help them deal with their undiagnosed or untreated mental health condition) and health problems. Our system is broken, and our society does not address the causes or solutions to homelessness.
Candice Haugland
11:21 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
Everyone deserve a change to have a new life in this world no matter who we are
Once Loved NJ
8:00 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Ocean County has no homeless shelter, they should have combined the new animal shelter with a shelter for people. There would have been extra hands to help the animals, the homeless would feel needed and compassionate, and the police are on property to thwart any illegal activity. Just thinking out of the box.
barbara
6:24 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
good thought, makes sense to me.
NJSocWkr
10:57 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Great idea, but we live in a society where we feel more compassion for animals than we do for our fellow man. We will happily spend hundreds of thousands on an animal shelter, but not a dollar for homeless youth or families. Your creativity and thoughtfulness should be applauded.
....ô¿Ô....
8:48 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Go Brother Mike Williams, I pray all your help and effort pays off.
PeopleAnnoyMe
9:52 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
I agree with Jennifer.... I can not imagine them saying these people are not eligible!! Jeezzzz Ocean County HELP THESE PEOPLE OUT!!!!
rich
2:55 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
maybe they will go back to river view park
1stcav
3:31 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
Agree with Once Loved NJ: They could help feed and clean pens at the Animal shelter ( food and housing ), could also help picking up garbage ALL over the township parks as they are in dire need , because of the slobs down here throwing garbage on the streets and highways ! Blame Bennies if you want , but it's those who LIVE here are the ones discarding, including empty beer bottles in the roadway. It's a disgrace the way some ( who are drug up, not brought up )just don't give a DAM ! Charity begins at home , not giving overseas, we have homeless for crying out loud ! When we have enough for our own, THEN give overseas !!!!!
barbara
6:26 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
Know some now who lost his job, has a kid and is having a real hard time. Went to Board of Social services and is getting the run around. Stinks.......
kathleen r wall
6:13 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012
Maybe if we worried less about folks in other countries and worried more about the less fortunate in our own country these people would never have had to sleep in tents in the first place!!!
barbara
9:29 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012
You are so right, Kathleen. Charity begins at home. I don't understand why so much of our money flies out of this country when people are hungry, kids can't afford school, etc. It's a national disgrace.
John Pine
4:52 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
What is happening to Toms River? Between homeless in the woods, the crime, and the incidents it seems like the new Lakewood.
frankie dipolito
2:20 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
what is this world coming 2 is a disgrace.
smartzonemary
11:34 pm on Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Our taxes should be increased so we can take care of these homeless people, some of who are veterans.
MomOfaGayman
9:29 am on Wednesday, May 23, 2012
I agree with smartzonemary. Some of the homeless are gay, and my son Tom Davis says they are humans just like us, and if they need help they shouldn't be denied just because they are gay. So I wouldn't mind a tax increase either.
Smot Revir
7:05 am on Saturday, May 26, 2012
2 momofagayman,are you still gay or have you found Jesus ?
jimmylutz42
10:50 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
What has being "gay" got to do with anything? Why should my taxes be raised to support some gay guy's lifestyle? Hogwash.
barbara
11:46 am on Sunday, May 27, 2012
So true NJ SocWkr........
Candice Haugland
10:49 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
I think that they should help the homeless and people in need like my family due hurricane sandy we might be homeless if no helps us bye may 15 2013.
FOOD
Ground Coffee & Coffee filters
Cleaning Supplies
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Garbage bags
Plastic utensils
Paper plates
Laundry detergent HE
Pillows New (twin Size)and queen)
Sheets for queen bed blankets
four in one crib
every thing for baby girl born on feb 82013
every for 13c grl
everything for 7 boy
everything for 61/2boy
everything for 3 yr boy
everything for there mom
everything for her other half
Towel Set – New (Bath, Hand and Washcloth)
Medical Needs:
Cold/Cough Medicine (Adults and Children’s formulas)
Infants, Children or Adult Tylenol and Ibuprofen
Infant/Children Thermometers
Hygiene:
Disposable Razors, Shaving Crème
Shampoo & Conditioners
Skin Creme
Children’s Tear Free Shampoo
Ivory Soap
Bath Towels & Wash cloths
Shower Curtain Liner (clear or crème colored)
Bathroom rug (small size – light blue preferred)
baby bath tub
crib
changing table
dipears
wips
sheets
so on
children beds
dressers
kitchen stuff
Back to School:
Gift Cards to Payless Shoes ($15 recommended amount)
Gift Cards to Kmart, Walmart, Target for Back to School Clothes
Back packs, notebooks, pencils, general school supplies
Printer paper
Candice Haugland
10:59 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
well we need everything from soap shampoo razor food furniture ,kitchen stuff everything for a new born girl children stuff age 3 ,6 7 boys everything for them 13
Candice Haugland
11:00 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
don t have you number to call you . do have a cell number ,?? I talked fema today .I might get help with rental ass up to 18months maybe ones we are in the house .but I got show receipts used for rental or towards at the time trying get in the place the guy said they might make a expansion for food and other things but not all know that ,I said my family had pay to get around to look for places jobs ,we had use it for food washing clothes .I only get 150 if that in food stamps for family of 5 that not enough plus some clothes because we lost everything clothes so on . so they got understand that it not our fault we went through the storm and lost our jobs place and more .we are in a fema hotel still we are waiting for our house to get finished .we need help getting the extends rental assistance from fema I know they pay 18 months some times longer depends on every case different . I still waiting for the red cross to help us with the furniture they can help us with but we need help with yes more of it and allot of other stuff to from body soap razor ,shampoo condoners ,everything for my new born Aubree from dippers wipes clothes bottles so on for her please help get that stuff pots pans spoons forks knifes everything for the kitchen bathrooms the whole house basically towels shower curtains curtains for all the windows so more we need help with food we starting from scathes
Candice Haugland
11:02 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
lil girl or my other children 5 now . I need everything for us from clothes underwear bras so on .jobs I am so stressed n scared I am trying so hard for my family n so is my finances we both are worried . we need help so we don t loss this place n help with utile also . we in a focuser home I wish I can the money to buy the house . I pray someone will help my family and my friends also that are family to us . I cry because we are going through much since hurricane sandy and we keep dealing with the bad .we lost everything as it is when will we get a brake something good for us . I am waiting on Hometown Heroes . because of the storm there I work at under the table though lost because of the storm mildew we lost everything from t vs dressers toys everything you can think of , it hurts it all gone in a flash all my children stuff and our don t have money to replace it need help n fast help with money for rent until we get back on our feet .
Candice Haugland
11:04 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
I got hired at Acme but waiting to start please can anyone help my family and I .I pray to the god Lord all the time for help as tears come down my face
jimmylutz42
10:47 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
All those homeless men should be forced to join the Army and defend our country. Homeless women should get minimum-wage jobs at supermarkets and fast-food joints.