Homeless campers uncertain of next steps amid sweeps at Wallace Marine Park

SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) - In Salem, the clock is ticking for campers at Wallace Marine Park as the city pushes to clear the grounds by the end of October.

Days after police cleared roughly 20 campsites, Wallace Marine Park is once again lined with tents and carts, but the pain of the sweep still lingers.

“Depressing, for the most part, it’s been not knowing what to do, you’re down on your luck for sure, stuck like chuck,” said Dwaine Regier, who has lived at the park for 25 years.

Salem officials said the park is unsuitable for camping—and can become a safety concern during the fall and winter months. The plan is to fully clear it out by October but the city’s action could go into November or beyond, depending on available resources.

“I don’t know what to do, I’ve been here longer than everyone,” said Regier. “And I’ve collected things in those 25 years that’s kind of hard to let go of.”

About 30 people were removed this week, including Shawn Montgomery, who lost most of his belongings in the process.

“I don’t see where else they expect us to go,” said Montgomery. “I’ve been moved four times in the last six months and every time I lose more and more and more to where I’m down to two carts of stuff. I don’t have a tent, I don’t have a covering, no nothing.”

The city said it will be flexible as enforcement ramps up, but the uncertainty is taking a toll on some people.

“I’m barely getting any sleep, I don’t know where to sleep next, I’m not going to get my stuff taken from me. Pretty much if I’m gone for a day, then if I come back who knows it could be gone,” said Montgomery.

With cold weather approaching, campers face an impossible choice: Pack up whatever is left and leave or wait out until the next sweep.

“I just have a couple more bags to go through then either I’m going to stay or I’m going to leave but I’d prefer to leave but it’s been a long time,” said Rieger.

”I move all that stuff to one spot, and then they’re not ok with it, I don’t know I guess it’s going to continue to wear me out, but I guess that’s what they want,” said Montgomery.