Montgomery, Alabama. (WSFA) – When Susan Poole walks behind her door manufacturing business Doors By Decora, she usually encounters piles of trash.
“We just hired people in last week to take out a lot of rubbish, and now they’re putting it up again,” Poole said.
People have been sleeping outside for the past year. A temporary shelter was erected.
Poole said the land is public and she has no problem with people being there, but now they are interfering with her business.
People are trespassing and making a mess on private property. One even stole her security camera.
“He climbed on the pole there and took the camera off,” she said.
New cameras were installed, but people kept littering. Someone also cut copper pipes on outdoor air compressors, shutting down businesses for hours.
“Honestly, I’m really tired of it,” Poole said.
The business owner said she had called police and the city several times, but nothing had been done.
When contacted by WSFA 12 News, the Montgomery Police Department said it received a call after a homeless man started a garbage fire in the past 60 days.
Police also released the following statement:
“Now that MPD is aware of the issue, we will provide additional patrols, provide homeless human resources, and advise business owners on lighting, security and signage. MPD works well with Montgomery business owners, residents and visitors , and will make every effort to address their concerns.”
The city is also working to clear the trash from the Montgomery underpass.
“They’re just cleaning up where the residents and the people of Montgomery can see, not behind our businesses, where no one can see but us,” Poole said.
The city said it is looking into the issue further.
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