English
A homeowner in Rutland has taken matters into his own hands, removing trees and vegetation from his front yard to stop people from using the space to hide, store belongings and use drugs. Kris Hyam says the project cost him three full weekends of work and around $600 in disposal fees, but he believes it was necessary to reclaim his property.
Drug Paraphernalia and Uninvited Visitors
Hyam regularly discovered clothing, tin foil, glass, needles and used crack pipes scattered across his yard. He describes the experience as deeply unsettling. “Having someone in your yard who is not invited is extremely aggravating. It feels like a violation,” he said.
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He points to the location of his home as a key factor driving the activity. A nearby park, Lions Park, serves as a daily gathering point where people experiencing homelessness receive food. A welfare office also sits within close proximity. “They are constantly being fed at the park every day. And there is a welfare office a football throw from my house,” Hyam said.
Clearing the Yard to Remove Cover
Hyam and his family spent three weekends trimming and cutting down the trees along his front yard. He hired a roll-off bin for delivery, pickup and disposal, bringing the total cost to approximately $600. His objective was straightforward. “The goal was to get rid of all privacy in the front yard,” he said.
The strategy appears to have produced results. Hyam says he has noticed fewer people stopping at his property since completing the work. “We think it has helped. We have noticed that homeless people seem to walk past our house now,” he said.
Storage Services Available for People Without Housing
Organizations that support people experiencing homelessness say practical alternatives exist for those who need somewhere secure to keep their belongings. Samuel Bradbury, a staff member at Metro Central, says his organization offers free daily storage on a 24-hour basis. People can leave their belongings overnight and collect them the following day.
Bradbury also noted a longer-term option. “They will know it will be OK, we also have a long term storage that is $20 a month. The daily storage is free,” he said. The service aims to give people without stable housing a safe and reliable place to store their possessions.
Homeowner Considers Leaving the Neighbourhood
Despite the improvement, Hyam says the ongoing situation has pushed him to think seriously about moving. He cites concerns about raising his daughter in the current environment. “I can’t keep living like this. I don’t want to keep raising my daughter around this,” he said.
Hyam says his long-term hope is to relocate to somewhere he considers safer and more suitable for his family. For now, the removal of trees from his Rutland property stands as his most direct attempt to address a problem he feels authorities and services have not fully resolved.
