Homeless Moving Back Into ‘The Zone’ Encampment in Downtown Phoenix Despite Judge’s Order Disbanding it

Despite a judge ordering Phoenix’s large homeless encampment downtown disbanded three years ago, the homeless are now returning to the location. At its height, there were over 1,000 people. The Phoenix Police Department cleared the location out, but a few months ago, over 300 homeless moved back in.
 

Joel Coplin, who owns an art gallery in The Zone, told 12 News, “People are coming left and right.” The station reported “used needles scattered” at the location, and Coplin said he sees people defecating in public and hears gunshots.

12 News posted video clips showing the homeless encampment resuming, and the video went viral on X after @WallStreetApes, a major influencer with 1.3 million followers, posted it. 

The homeless appear to be coming back due to a new policy passed by Phoenix government in February. While focusing on shelters and drug treatment, it also states that the policy will “Clarify rules around public space use, improving safety for the neighborhood and for people experiencing homelessness.” Another section states that Phoenix is “operat[ing] extended hours cooling centers and a 24/7 respite center to support heat response.”

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