Deadline Arrives For Homeless To Remove Belongings From Toms River Parking Garage

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A group of homeless residents who have been taking shelter at the Toms River municipal parking garage are facing a deadline Thursday morning, as they have been ordered to remove their belongings or have them removed for them.

Toms River handed out notices to the group of more than a dozen people who have been taking shelter at the garage, behind town hall and adjacent to the Ocean County Library, on Tuesday ordering them to leave.

The notice is the most recent in a lengthy struggle between township Mayor Daniel Rodrick and groups trying to assist people who have lost their housing for a multitude of reasons, and came as the area has been under an intense heat wave.

On Wednesday night, several of the group of homeless people sat in a corner of the garage, talking and listening to music, surrounded by cases of water and ice brought in to ensure people stayed hydrated in the heat.

As they sat, a steady stream of people came from the library to the parking garage, which had a number of cars and SUVs occupying spots. Some of the passersby paused and looked at the group. Others continued on their way.

"Something needs to be done," one woman said to an Ocean County Sheriff's officer who was on duty nearby, watching over the group. The officer told her he had heard there was something in the works to help, but that he didn't know the details.

"Well I hope you stay safe," the woman said, disdain for the group clear in her voice.

Homelessness in Toms River and Ocean County has become a fierce battle in recent months, with Rodrick on multiple occasions dismissing all of those who are seeking shelter in public places as mentally ill, alcoholics and drug addicts.

Advocates and members of nonprofit organizations that have been trying to assist say that is an unfair stereotype that ignores the reality of so many others who are homeless locally. One man who has spoken at Toms River Township Council meetings has shared that he is sober and trying to look for work. He and a few others are caregivers to a woman in her 80s who has found herself without a home.

Jeffrey Wild, an attorney and a trustee of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, says he has been trying to work with Rodrick and township officials to find a reasonable solution to assist the people who are without shelter.

Wild said he was able to get the township to agree to hold belongings that were confiscated a week ago in storage until arrangements can be made to get them back to their rightful owners.

While there are several discussions underway to find a short-term solution to assist the current group that has been staying at the garage, Wild said none of it addresses the real problems, which are more complex.

"The right answer is not to issue summonses," Wild said. "People have a right to shelter and safety. If any municipality doesn't want people staying on public land, give them housing. That's the solution."