HN PHOTOS: Officers enter encampment to investigate chainsaw assault allegation…
HYANNIS – [HN PHOTOS] – Barnstable Police Officers had to make their way into a homeless encampment on public lands near the intersection of Nantucket Street and Old Colony Road Friday afternoon after someone reported being threatened by a man brandishing a chainsaw.
Officers first met up with a man and woman on Old Colony Road who had just left the camp after allegedly being threatened with the gas-powered cutting tool.
Police officers then entered a wooded area and traversed rather filthy conditions in search of a suspect and evidence of the alleged crime.
Over the years, the wooded area in question has been a popular place for homeless individuals to camp despite signs outlawing the activity. It’s an area close to downtown and various services for the Hyannis homeless.
The wooded area, however, does not have bathroom facilities and is obviously rife with litter and filth of various sorts. In short, it’s a health hazard which the town frequently monitors. Tents are often torn down by town officials and camping gear disposed of…
It has been several weeks since the town last removed an encampment at this particular location, according to sources on scene.
It’s an ongoing situation which dates back decades… and not an easy one to solve. The homeless situation in Hyannis certainly has its perennial problems and issues. From homeless-on-homeless violence to public health and safety issues.
Yesterday’s police expedition into the wild outskirts of downtown Hyannis turned into an encounter between cops and campers still on location… but one where no chainsaw was located. One police officer could be heard strongly advising everyone to stay away from one another to avoid future violence and visits from the law.
The particular situation is being monitored and investigated by the Barnstable Police Department. The current camp is also on the town’s radar, I’m told…
(NOTE: HN was about to follow officers all the way into the filthy encampment before realizing I was only wearing a pair of cheap rubber sandals, which made it a risk I was unwilling to take under the current circumstances… but had they found a chainsaw, well, that’s an entirely different circumstance worth considering… and if a chainsaw had suddenly revved to life, well disease be damned! I would have been in there cameras “a blazing!” 😉 )
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