Bangor To Set Public Hours And Rules For Park By Library After Citizens Voice Concerns

It's been a topic of conversation for the last month or so, as warming shelters in Bangor closed for the season, and the unhoused in the City looked for places to go.

Several make-shift encampments have formed over the last six weeks, most notably in front ot the Bangor Public Library, and the monument/green space that sits next to it, Peirce Park.

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If you have driven by the corner of Harlow and Central Streets, you have likely noticed a large gathering of people and belongings that stretches across the property, and at points has caused pedestrians to have to walk around, over, or through obstacles and campsites to use the city's sidewalks and paths, which goes against the city's ordinances.

At the beginning of April, members of the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights (ACREIHR) discussed those concerns, and a plan was proposed to more specifically define city rules and address them.

"The City Solicitor shared that the Police Department has experienced issues with individuals storing materials on sidewalks and esplanades and obstructing the path for pedestrians. A sidewalk ordinance already existed (Code §257-4), which prohibits a person from occupying, blocking, obstructing, or otherwise using any portion of a City sidewalk, esplanade, or street for the storage of materials for construction purposes without first obtaining a license from the City’s Code Enforcement Office...Additionally, concerns have arisen related to the sidewalk in front of Pierce Park, specifically that
has caused concerns related to access to the Bangor Public Library. Based on the conversation by Council, Legal has created an alternative, stand-alone ordinance
provision, drafted in response to a Councilor’s expressed concern about repurposing an ordinance section originally intended for construction projects into one that has more general applicability."

One of the suggestions made was that the City could employ someone whose specific job would be to patrol these encampments and parks to enforce the ordinances (at the cost of over $500 a day) and also to limit the time folks could spend in these parks.

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At a recent Bangor City Council meeting held on Monday, April 27th, several Bangor residents said they believed this proposal was a temporary band-aid that was being placed over a larger and more serious problem. Many folks who both live and work in the Queen City stated they feared these gatherings would negatively impact the upcoming summer activities, such as the First Friday Art Walk, which begins this weekend.

One gentleman who lives in the "Little City" section of town spoke of his own experience with homelessness and addiction, but mentioned he found it difficult to encourage anyone to visit the library (he has an art exhibit on display there at the moment) because of the encampment of unhoused individuals that has gathered around the facility as of late. He also mentioned that he recently volunteered for the Downtown Cleanup, and while he is a supporter of programs like the needle exchanges said it he understands people's frustrations and worries surrounding such services, as he himself found a number of needles around the city during the event.

Another woman who lives on Market Street also spoke of the First Friday Art Walks and how she finds it difficult to recommend people come visit the downtown area under the circumstances, saying that it is negatively affecting the residents of Bangor, both financially and emotionally, but that it's also impacting those experiencing homelessness. She recommended a sanctioned encampment near resources, and not in front of the Public library, might be a better temporary solution than what's going on right now.

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Yet another person spoke of how he thinks the proposal of having law enforcement patrol parks and shift gate hours will not help the overall issue that many residents believe has moved into full blown crisis now.

He called it "an expensive shell game" where Bangor is currently paying a premium to "move people from one sidewalk to another," at the cost of almost $700 a day; Relocating the misery, he said.

According to a post put up on the City of Bangor's Facebook Page, the City is going ahead with its proposed plan, establishing new modified hours and patrols at Peirce Park, next to the library, and the changes will be effective starting on Friday.

"The hours that Peirce Park is open to the public will be reduced starting Friday, May 1, and a detailed patrol officer or City Park Ranger will closely monitor the space to ensure the safety and accessibility of the Downtown park during the hours it’s open. The new, temporary hours for Peirce Park are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park hours will remain in place seven days a week."

The City says they will put up special signs in and around the park to let folks know about the new rules and schedule.