Bismarck, N.D. — The Bismarck Police Department recently cleared an encampment on North 24th Street, an action that resulted in the loss of personal belongings for several unsheltered individuals in the area.
The incident began when heavy rain fell on Bismarck on a recent Monday. Father Joe Hubbarb, executive director of Ministry on the Margins, observed an unhoused amputee sheltering under a single garbage bag at the encampment. Moved by the sight, Hubbarb provided his own tents to offer cover from the weather.
Bart Joshua, an unsheltered resident, described the tents as a necessary lifeline against the elements. Joshua stated that the situation was "not a police issue" but rather "more of a seasonal thing" related to staying dry.
However, the tents remained in place only for a short time. As soon as the rain subsided, Bismarck Police Department officers arrived at the North 24th Street site with a garbage truck.
The Bismarck Police Department reported that officers responded because the tents had been erected in violation of the city’s camping ordinance. According to police, the tents were blocking the sidewalk, the boulevard, and nearby private property. No arrests were made during the operation, and individuals were instructed to move.
Father Hubbarb recounted that individuals asked where they were supposed to go and were told, "go across the street to Ministry on the Margins. They seem to want you." Many individuals did relocate to Ministry on the Margins. However, personal belongings that were not taken across the street were subsequently dumped.
Several unsheltered residents who had been at a nearby soup cafe for lunch returned to find their possessions missing or being tossed. These lost items included important documents such as IDs and Social Security cards. One mother reported that her belongings included a backpack containing her late mother’s ashes and clothes worn by her son, who was murdered in Bismarck four years prior.
The Bismarck Police Department issued a statement affirming their continued response to complaints stemming from the existing camping ordinance. The department indicated it also addresses "crimes commonly associated with violations of the camping ordinance." The statement further clarified that "Complaints from the community will be addressed and reviewed for criminal violations, and if a violation of the law has occurred, the case will be referred for prosecution if applicable."
Currently, the encampment has been moved to the front of Ministry on the Margins. However, Father Hubbarb stated that this arrangement is not a viable long-term solution, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive plan. With another North Dakota winter approaching, those living on the street are relying on community support and are seeking a safe place to go.
