AMHERST — With the overnight homeless shelter closed until November, former guests continue to look for places to stay, including properties in Amherst on which to pitch their tents.
But some of the sites on which they are trying to live have prompted police responses.
At 6:34 p.m. Saturday, police responded to the garden near the Amherst History Museum, 67 Amity St., where several homeless people were loitering and preparing to spend the night.
Darbie Lynn Young, 38, who provided an address as the streets of Amherst, was arrested on a warrant, said Detective Sgt. Brian Daly.
Trespass notices for Young and three other individuals were written by police officers and are expected to be served by the directors who oversee the historical society and the Strong House.
At 9:17 p.m. Saturday, police responded to the rear of the First Congregational Church, 165 Main St., where a man and woman had set up their tent. They were advised they couldn’t stay on the property, and agreed to pack up their belongings and leave, Daly said.
No trespass notice was issued, as the church is also home to the Not Bread Alone meal site, where free meals are served on Wednesday evenings and midday on Saturdays and Sundays.
Less than 30 minutes later, a storm window was reported smashed at the church, though there are no suspects and it is uncertain if the damage was related to the previous call. Damage was estimated at less than $250.
While homeless people can get tents and sleeping bags at the Amherst Survival Center, Executive Director Mindy Domb said in an email that, like other items from the free store, there is no advice given on how they should be used or where they can be set up.
Other vandalism incidents were reported at 12:12 a.m. Sunday, when a person was seen knocking over a sign and planter in downtown Amherst near Hair East salon, 103 North Pleasant St., and again when two men were seen damaging mailboxes on Shays Street at 1:37 a.m.
The person who knocked over the signs and planter agreed to put them back in place, but the men who smashed mailboxes were not located. One of the mailboxes was later heavily damaged when it was run over by a vehicle.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
