A camp of homeless residents are being evicted Monday from their mini tent city in the woods behind a Rockville U-Haul facility, following an assault that led police to the spot. Police arrested 42-year-old Andrew Baird last Monday after his girlfriend filed an assault charge against him. While “under the influence of a lot of things,” Baird hit Amber with a glass bottle and a wooden board, kicked her in the back, head-butted her and spit on her, said Amber, who asked that her last name not be used so that her employer does not find out that she is homeless.
Because he allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted the police, Baird has been issued multiple criminal assault charges. Court records also show a previous assault charge.
After taking Baird away, the police returned with an Environmental Protection Agency official, who asked the residents to leave, said police spokesman Capt. Paul Starks. The EPA was concerned about the living conditions for the people and Amber’s two dogs.
In addition to tents, the space is filled with furniture, clothing, personal belongings and other odds and ends. Bird feeders and a kite hang from the trees, and at least a dozen office chairs, an office filing cabinet and two grills are scattered among empty beer bottles and old shoes.
Montgomery County’s Health and Human Services Department has known about the encampment for at least two years, said Director Uma Ahluwalia, but her office cannot force anyone to leave. And the agency cannot make the residents go to shelters or seek other housing options.
Data reveals 1,132 homeless in Montgomery County, 6.4 percent more than a year ago. HHS will conduct a new census of the homeless population in January.
According to Amber, the camp moves around. It has been at its location near the intersection of Randolph Road and Parklawn Drive for just over a year. Amber has been there since May, which is when she met Baird.
Three residents have been placed in shelters, according to Ahluwalia. Amber said she is staying in a shelter for victims of domestic abuse, where she can stay for up to 60 days.
However, several of the camp residents have not left, and Amber said that she, too, might be back on the streets before long.
“It’s very hard to recover from homelessness, and I don’t think I’m going to do it this time, frankly,” said Amber, who makes $10 an hour working 25 hours a week. She lost her job in 2009 and hasn’t been able to find full-time work since.
