One year after 'The Zone' encampment was shut down in Phoenix

It's been a year since 'The Zone' homeless encampment shut down in Phoenix. What does the city's homeless crisis look like now?

[jameshurley]

Might be something to do with high rents as well.

[iralien]

Dang, one plate of food for each of them is more than I eat in a week! I’m 75 year old widow USAF Veteran. I can only afford to buy groceries every 2 weeks. Worked 55 years as a professional nurse and barely getting by. I ask for nothing from anyone. I am blessed to have the little I do. I’ve spent many hundreds of dollars and hundreds of hours helping the homeless. Most don’t want to change. I stopped doing it and will never help any of them again. It’s up to them, sink or swim

[StuckInCali]

@12 News Thank You For Reporting On The Homeless-Addiction & Mental Health Great Job👍🏼

[scottleggejr]

We clearly have the wrong people at the helm. Victims of crime need a voice. Criminals need prosecuted. Drug possession and paraphernalia is illegal to posess. The demand for services goes away when people live within the rules. Lawlessness yuelds outcomes like this. Hold government accountable by voting the supporters of lawlessness out. I live by the rules and would get HAMMERED if i were caught with controlled substance, why do these people live by another standard?

[heavencantwait]

Thank you Eric Sanchez and your group of many volunteers for all you do for those that are living in the streets, & keeping us posted about Zion 😊 (MASA Project of Arizona)

[az]

they're just creating a codependent cycle. he feels good, but these addicts don't give a crap. but without them, he wouldn't feel good.

[matthewkeeling]

As a resident of downtown from 2019 -2022 I can positively say all it did was disbursed the issue . I ride my bike everyday and it’s very concerning . To the you gentleman providing the resources like food and narcan . You are an angel

[bluerayfrequency]

There is no AFFORDABLE living options in Phoenix. Not for seniors, probably slightly better for those with drugs and childrens.

[mylesstewart]

What about those of us living out of vehicles? Where are we allowed to exist to sleep????

[LetsBeLogicalHereGeez]

Those shelters are extremely dangerous! They don't police them as they should.

[Soulcritic]

Help the vagrants, armed, that's how dangerous vagrants are!

[BernardLimpet-qdbk]

..not everyone is homeless because of drugs!

[e.b.]

While working in Hawaii a few years ago (2018’ish) I read an article in one of their local newspapers. It spoke of a program it was using to help the homeless.

It was focusing on those who didn’t want to be homeless… or, people who had experienced a life changing event that put them in a homeless situation. I.e., loss of home due to fire, loss of job, and death of primary provider were a few examples given.

Next it would put effort into those with medical issues that put them into homelessness.

Last, it would attempt to assist those who wanted to be homeless. This was the group it had the most problem with as they found efforts put into this category yielded the least success because they did not want to get better. Didn’t want any help to change their lifestyle. Unfortunately, this was the largest group.

[GloriaW]

Please call the Office of Homeless Solutions as a first choice. Save The Family Foundation of Arizona as a second choice. Instead of police enforcement if homelessness is a problem in your area.

[Bbmangood]

There you go just give free food, anti-overdose medication and hugs to people who are seriously worthless. I have zero respect for most homeless people, because most of them can work what they choose not to that used to be a drug attic, or an alcoholic, and live on the streets because we will take care of them. I can’t stand activists for the homeless

[MikeJones-wcqj]

Many homeless migrated to Phoenix as Ann Obrien gushed...We Lead With Services?? Dinner Bell😅

[MikeJones-wcqj]

A board of Directors in Business would be fired for Growing this Skid Row. Its a Cancer.

[MikeJones-wcqj]

Having them on the STREET to begin with is a Problem for everybody. They need to willingly be housed and medically treated etc on a Facility like a Military Base. Doctors, Beds, Showers...giving a meal is not a Solution. Our City Leaders are doing Nothing in Removing them from City Streets.

[elocbloc]

Not shelters; but SOLUTIONS! Get people some help with housing before it becomes homelessness.

[Spencertk]

It seems like we keep going back to the concept of The Zone as this catch all moment to reflect on. I believe the statistics for violent crime in 2022-2023 in Phoenix had The Zone at number one. People who are paying attention would notice that 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place were all the surrounding intersections of this area reported. In comparison, our area has twice the amount of violent crime than The Zone in total. You will notice that these individuals are camping along the Grand Canal, which is a Parks and Recreation Trail meaning it goes directly up to the federal government. After all, the 2018 reconstruction of the canal was a parks and rec project. With recent state legislation regarding short term rentals that have rolled back protections on existing homeowners, the state’s openly lax approach towards enforcing short term rental abuse, and the lack of willingness from SRP, city of Phoenix, or the federal government to do anything with this situation, it leaves us wondering what to do? Well guess what channel 12 I’m going to give you the scoop since I like you so much. I’m making my neighborhood organization official under the greater Phoenix association, and I will be presenting the president of every neighboring association with the action of suing the city of Phoenix in the exact way The Zone did for their lack of service and protection here in the greater Melrose area. Bless the work of MASA. But this kind of display comes off as a minstrel show to the people who have been doing actual work to save our community here. I actually watched Rickey Smith who works for city of Phoenix under their cleanup crew along the canal drive right past a huge pile of trash and paraphernalia at 15th Avenue yesterday. Personally, I think the city and state and SRP have been skating by with no solution whatsoever. Praying the mostly 60 to 80 year-old age group of homeowners here that stay quiet will continue to stay quiet. I cannot wait to see the looks on their faces and like I said, you guys can call me when you want the interview. I’ll give it to you exclusively.