Macon-Bibb approves homeless encampment cleanup effort

Officials say the effort includes outreach, storage for belongings and connections to housing or shelter resources.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb commissioners approved a contract last week to hire a Massachusetts company to help clean up homeless encampments in parts of the county where assistance and cleanup efforts are needed.

District 5 Commissioner Andrea Cooke says this encampment cleanup is not an attempt to remove people, but to clean up areas once housing or shelter is found for that person.

“It is several months in advance of planning with many organizations,” she said. “We go out and offer for housing and different resources if there is funding to get people back to where they came from, because a lot of people are transitioning and sometimes they get stuck here and they need a little help to get back home.”

Cooke says organizations are in place to ensure no personal property is damaged or lost.

“Our EMA and parks and beautification work to store peoples’ items,” she said. “So not only just store but bring out purchased containers for people to put their things in. They’re labeled and organized, and people can come back and get their things. It’s never an attempt to displace people because of their things. There’s even been an effort for people who need to go into shelters to also find a place for their dog to be sheltered.”

Cooke believes this service will positively benefit Macon.

“I think it says a lot about how we take care of the least of us, and they are not overlooked,” she said. “So, if there’s any way we can find resources and shelter for people who want it, then we do everything in our power to make sure that happens.”

Cooke says the cleanup is for all of Macon-Bibb County.