INDIANAPOLIS – A homeless community was forced to leave their east side camp after the property was cleared out Friday.
People living in the camp were asked to leave about six weeks ago by CSX, a rail transportation company that owns the property.
“The Jungle,” as the camp had been referred to for years, was located in a wooded area along CSX’s active rail line. The company cited safety reasons as to why the area was cleared.
As Indianapolis police made the final sweep Friday afternoon, many were concerned about where those living in the camp would turn to.
"This is a community. Granted they are trespassing, but it's a community,” said Kathy Albright of Meet Me Under the Bridge Ministry. “It's like what do you do? Do you just throw homeless people away like trash? They are not trash. They are some of the most loving people I know.”
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Some people picked up their tents and settled in other places, while others used the clearing as a way to start a new beginning.
Zach Mendenhall, who was forced to leave The Jungle, recently found a job and an apartment in which he will share with a roommate.
The 27-year-old said he was grateful for the people he met at the camp as the experience taught him how to be a man.
"It's a double and I'm going to be renting the other side. So, with things turning up this experience out here, this experience out here has helped me out a lot,” he said.
CSX officials said they began working with city leaders to help those forced to leave the camp find resources and new housing.
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