SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — It’s the time of year when Port City Daily counts down its most read pieces throughout 2023.
CATCH UP: No. 10 Most Read Story of 2023: UNCW razing oldest dorm
In August, the Southport Board of Aldermen took on the discussion of the homeless population. It was spurred by an uptick in residential complaints about an increased presence of unsheltered people in downtown Southport, according to city manager Bonnie Therrien.
Maj. Burke with the Southport Police Department told PCD at the time there were roughly five people law enforcement are called about regularly.
“There are always one or two additional that seem to present as transient into and out of the area,” Burke said. “They are not always the same folks.”
At its meeting, aldermen also heard from Sally Learned, executive director of the nonprofit Brunswick Partnership for Housing. Learned warned against only using law enforcement to address issues that the unsheltered population face.
“Being homeless is not a crime,” Learned said.
Learned encouraged law enforcement to connect nonprofits like Brunswick Partnership for Housing to those needing shelter. From there, they could connect individuals to emergency shelters or transitional housing along with other services to address substance abuse, mental health and disabilities.
She also asked Southport to engage in more public private partnerships with local organizations and said she was already in conversation with Burke about providing training to officers and incorporating an outreach specialist in Southport.
To catch up on the full scope of the article, click below:
Tips or comments? Email to info@portcitydaily.com
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
