Individuals who lived in tents on East Washington Avenue last winter as part of an Occupy Madison movement have set up camp on the same site this winter, despite the city’s decision last year that the encampment is illegal.

According to Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, what started out as Occupy Madison gathering in tents last winter has turned into an encampment of homeless individuals on the 600 block of East Washington Avenue. She said it is unacceptable for the group of individuals to camp on this site like they did last winter.

“I will not support seeing another encampment over the winter at this site,” Maniaci said. “This is clearly trespassing. The idea that somehow this is acceptable is just ridiculous.”

Mayor Paul Soglin said he is waiting to see staff reports that will indicate whether or not the encampment is outside the law to determine a solution. He added the state of Wisconsin regulates public and private campgrounds.

Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said the Occupy Madison site on East Washington Avenue last year was deemed illegal as it violated city health code, an issue he noted he is concerned about this year, as well.

He said he believes Occupy Madison is a protest that will continue promoting their interests until they “declare victory,” but he noted his confidence that city officials will reach a solution.

“I’m absolutely confident we’ll find a peaceful resolution,” Resnick said.

Occupy Madison began last year as a group of students from the University of Wisconsin and other members of the community who were engaged in a political and philosophical public debate that reflected sentiments sweeping the nation, Maniaci said. The movement was part of the larger Occupy protests that started in New York City. She said homeless individuals took the opportunity to receive food and goods while moving in on a political protest.

She added a dozen or so of these individuals have been camping on the Dane County campgrounds for most of the year.

Maniaci said it is not a safe environment for the individuals to be putting themselves in and is also a poor use of the land. She also noted the individuals have demonstrated what she considers arrogance by setting up on the site with no respect for the property or the neighborhood.

Local activist Brenda Konkel, a former alder Maniaci defeated in a 2009 election for the District 2 seat, said in a blog post that the movement is doing what it can to work with police and Occupy participants to prevent abuse of the property. 

“Sounds like the city and the county are really taking the needs of the homeless seriously now,” the blog post said. “More work to do, but progress is better than what we have had in the past.”

Dane County is sending in caseworkers to work with the individuals with the goal of removing them from the site in the near future, Maniaci said.

She added the group has known for months they could not camp at this location, and not having a plan for the future is not an excuse for them to stay there.

Maniaci said she is working hard to find an alternate location for a homeless day shelter. The city is considering a former teen center as a potential venue.

“I’m looking to find a solution, not just an answer,” Maniaci said. “I’m working very hard for a solution that works for the homeless population so they have access to services they need and access to a location that gets them out of the weather for the winter.”

According to Maniaci, she does not want to put her constituents at risk and jeopardize their safety with the potential crime the group may bring. She said she wants to create an access to services that does not disrupt the daily life and character of the neighborhood.

Resnick said he believes the group will maintain the space and create a safe environment.

“I believe the protests have created quite a bit of awareness, primarily for some of the causes for advocacy and democracy and for the rights of those that are homeless,” Resnick said. “I think it has had at least an impact on many of their goals.”

He added Soglin is set to appoint new members to the City Housing Committee in the hopes of reforming some of the housing problems in Madison within the next few weeks, a move that will potentially bring answers to those camped out on East Washington Street.