Fire Death And Evict Threats Hit Jersey Shore Homeless Camps
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — Homeless encampments at the Jersey Shore are reeling from a fire death at one and a threat to shut down a separate one.
One occupant of the camp known as "Tent City" in Lakewood died in a fire early Saturday morning. That encampment is in the process of being shut down.
The blaze came as authorities in nearby Toms River considered evicting a separate homeless encampment tucked up against the Garden State Parkway.
Residents of that camp, and an advocate trying to find them shelter, say the management of a nearby apartment complex has threatened to evict the 10 people living in the woods on Monday.
But Toms River police say they have no plans to move against the camp until they determine if it occupies private or public property.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)