The growing crisis in Ithaca’s Jungle encampment #1 was discussed at the Wednesday meeting of the Ithaca Community Police Board. Jungle #1 is located on City & railroad property behind Warehouse Carpet Outlet & Agway. Several major fires and violent incidents have occurred in this area recently, along with increased drug activity.
First Ward Councilperson George McGonigal, who sits on the Community Police Board, assessed conditions in the area following a recent walkthrough of the site.
“It’s got a whole different vibe than the rest of the Jungle, in my opinion. It’s a scary place,” McGonigal said.
A recent stabbing of a man and his dog, theft and several recent major fires were discussed, alongside drug activity that is “ramping up.”
McGonigal says the surrounding community is “under siege” and that businesses are leaving the area. The Cancer Resource Center’s abandonment of their West end location was cited as evidence of this phenomena.
Councilpersons Jorge DeFendini & Tiffany Kumar have stated their desire to have no police involvement in enforcement of the city’s proposed policy on unsanctioned encampments.
“The fact that some of my colleagues on council are reluctant to enforce these proposed changes of where you can and cannot camp,” McGonigal said, “we have to address this and if we continue to ignore it, we’re cowards.”
This portion of railroad property is not subject to the city’s proposed color coded plan for unsanctioned encampments.
Acting Chief of the Ithaca Police Department Ted Schwartz attended the meeting, his first since taking on his new role.
“The Jungle is a huge problem,” Schwartz said. Schwartz went on to describe human trafficking in the Jungle that is often intertwined with illicit drug activity.
“The people I think the city is worried about being mistreated by the cops are being victimized by criminals,” Schwartz said.
This portion of the Ithaca Community Police Board meeting can be viewed below.