Ashley Sawyer’s family members learned that she died this week, but rather than sit with their loss, they are processing feelings of anger and confusion resulting from the police department’s failure to notify them properly.
Lawrence Accountability
Lawrence Times reporter Chansi Long was targeted by city staff and ordered by police to leave the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness Tuesday night while other members of the public were allowed to remain. “That’s a problem,” a local First Amendment expert said.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Camp residents found a woman dead in her tent at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness Tuesday night, and police forced a reporter who was interviewing camp residents to leave.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Residents of the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness say city workers have denied some people showers in the hygiene trailer recently placed at the site, and a woman alleges that one city worker harassed her as she showered.
Lawrence’s indoor Winter Emergency Shelter will close after Sunday night, and then the Community Building will be closed for maintenance.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
The city will install a bathroom and shower trailer at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness, despite the plan violating city code. The city recently brought an office trailer to the support site, sparking confusion and controversy.
Molly Adams/Lawrence Times
Two residents of the North Lawrence camp for people experiencing homelessness were charged with crimes after a fight Saturday, but other residents and an advocate say the alleged victim was not supposed to be at the support site at all.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
The city has thanked camp resident Jennifer Adams for managing the North Lawrence support site for people experiencing homelessness but says her services are no longer needed, and that moving forward, city staff will manage the site.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
The task of checking people in at the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness falls on resident Jennifer Adams — along with other duties, such as de-escalating problems, distributing donations, and trespassing people when they violate the contracts secured in Adams’ tent.
Chansi Long/Lawrence Times
Some residents of the North Lawrence campsite for people experiencing homelessness say city staff members have stopped providing basic support, including food and water. It’s causing them to shift their focus to survival, rather than improving their situations.
