SANFORD – One man living in a tent near the Mousam River said he’s been camping out since March. Another, Darian, said he’s been homeless in Sanford for three years. A third individual, Tammy, said she has been camping for the past three years, and she hopes the lifestyle changes she’s making now will lead to a better future.

“I’m looking forward to being able to see my kids,” she said at the encampment a week ago. “That is what I think of every single day, making memories with them.”

Some people who pitched their tents in an encampment along the Mousam River near the mill district in Sanford didn’t want to talk about their situation with the news media.

But these days, many of them have been talking daily with Sanford Police Detective Eric Small, or one of the four other officers – Colleen Adams, Paul Goldsmith, Matthew Begin and Andrew Simmons – assigned two weeks ago to a task force to look into the homeless situation and provide avenues for people to access available resources.

Small, on a visit to one of the camps near the river last week, estimated Sanford’s homeless population at around 40 or more. Some live in camps set up in various Sanford and Springvale locations. Some prefer to camp alone, away from others. Some aren’t camping, but “couch surfing,” staying with friends here and there, he said. Small estimated that at least 20 people  are camping out.

Some are homeless due to poverty, some have substance issues like alcohol or drug misuse, others have mental health issues or a combination of factors.

None has a stable roof over their heads.

Small and the other officers who visit the camps are asking questions like how long the person has been in Sanford, how long they’ve been camping, what circumstances brought them to homelessness, and what they need to get out of their current situation.

He and the others pass out their business cards.

Small remembered a recent call.

“One woman, who has an addiction, said she doesn’t want to live like this,” he said. Small was able to get the woman, Tammy, some clothing and shoes, got her to the YMCA for a shower, and to a medical appointment where she began a program she hopes will result in recovery. She’s still in the camp, but doing well, he said, and everyone has their fingers crossed that a shelter will soon find room for her.

Those in the camps, like the one near the river, have also been receiving help from others. Some individuals provided water and food during a recent hot spell. A man associated with an outreach endeavor has been coming by frequently, dispensing food and clothing when possible. A local restaurant has reportedly been providing meals.

The Portland-based nonprofit Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance has also pitched in, passing out sleeping bags, food and clothing and more, said Journey Ramsey, one of the Alliance’s board members.

Diane Gerry of York County Shelter Programs in Alfred said the agency has reached out to the campers to help with services but as of late last week said there had been no response. She was to meet with Sanford City Manager Steve Buck and other city staff on Wednesday.

Following that meeting, Community Development Director Ian Houseal said conversations are ongoing and a strategy is being developed.

Sanford, like many communities, has had a transient population for some time. Recently, some of those camping out have become more visible, because their campsites are near the mill district and downtown.

In some cases, the camps have been set up on private property, resulting in concern from landowners. The camps on private property are similar to those that spring up on public property – there is no sanitation, no running water, and sometimes, there is crime – some campers steal from other campers. There have also been reports of assault.

Recently, a property owner, fed up with the situation on his land, called police, who in turn went to the property and let the campers know they needed to leave.

Police gave campers a couple of days to move, Small said.

They left, but didn’t take everything with them. Clothing, camping supplies, a bed frame and miscellaneous items were left behind.

Mayor Tom Cote said the city is studying the situation and feels it is too early to form an opinion on how best to solve it.

“The solution will likely be comprised of a variety of resources and approaches as each person in that area may have their own unique needs. We are currently taking an inventory of those needs and matching people to the right resources,” said Cote in an email. “We do have to be compassionate, but also understand that these folks are squatting on private property that is adjacent to neighborhoods, schools, and several day care facilities. We have an obligation and responsibility to keep this area safe for everyone. It won’t be an easy problem to solve, but I am confident we will arrive at a solution that will work for everyone.”

Deputy Mayor Luke Lanigan said Buck has been coordinating city departments that would have the largest impact on the homeless population, like the Police Department and General Assistance,  whom he believes are best able to connect those in need with resources.

“Our city is very fortunate to have resources that are  available through organizations like York County Community Action Corporation, Nasson Healthcare, York County Shelter Programs, and the Backpack Program,” said Lanigan.

Ramsey, meanwhile, said she and others from MHVA plan to be in Sanford on Friday, with sleeping bags, hygiene products, shoes and food. The organization, which helps homeless veterans and others,  can be contacted at: https://www.facebook.com/MaineHomelessVeteransAlliance.

She became involved with MHVA a couple of years ago, Ramsey said.

“A lot of people are one paycheck or car breakdown away from being homeless,” she said. Ramsey said she was homeless about a decade ago.

“I bought a tent, and lived in someone’s back yard,” Ramsey recalled of that time, and there was some couch surfing as well. Her homelessness ended, and now, she said, she tries to help others.

At a recent trip to one of the Sanford camps,Ramsey was passing out food. She looked down, and noticed one man was wearing sandals – two left ones.

“That bothered me,” she said.

Some of those living in the woods aren’t as visible, and some prefer a more solitary existence. Small spoke of a woman camping in Springvale whom he said has a job and a housing voucher – but can’t find an apartment.

Small, who is also a recovery coach, says it feels good to be able to help. There have been some recent successes. Darian, who told a reporter last week that he has an addiction, arranged for a medical appointment; Tammy, the woman police assisted in getting to the doctor, is on the road to recovery.

Darian, 25, said he’d gone along without really looking for help, but now feels differently.

“I do want to get situated, and have a stable place to live,” he said.

Not every story has had a good outcome – or at least, not yet. One homeless man who ended up in hospital last week was a candidate for a detox bed and it seemed like that was going to go forward, but didn’t, and he’s now back at the camp.

Small took a drive in his cruiser on Wednesday morning and spotted the man, asleep, outside, his belongings strewn around him.

Last week, Small spoke of some of the gains – and of the current limitations.

He spoke of the woman police had been able to help.

“At the end of the day, she still had no place to live,” he said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.