<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2ApGoP_0zgIkIQ800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2ApGoP_0zgIkIQ800" width="1200" height="600" >LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - One of Lawton’s only organizations working to address chronic homelessness within the City of Lawton has been running into several setbacks.The Salvation Army opened their property for the homeless to set up tents, preventing them from being fined or jailed after the Lawton City Council approved an anti-camping ordinance back in November of 2024.Captain Bryan Brinlee said what was making the Salvation Army’s efforts so effective was that those who needed help were in such close proximity.“We’ve pulled 34 people off the street, as of this morning, that used to be chronically homeless,” Brinlee said. “One of our motos in doing that was, there’s many avenues to go from here. This is a temporary situation- there’s many avenues. Going back to the street is not one of them.”However, because of a few legalities, staff have been directed by Salvation Army higher-ups to move the homeless off the property.“That’s tents- where can people sleep at, and being able to make sure they’re safe,” Brinlee. “There’s a lot of risk that comes with people that are on drugs, fentanyl, drinking and have gambling addictions. It’s a lot.”At this moment, those who resided within the Salvation Army’s fence have since moved to the other side of the road in an empty lot.In addition to these technicalities, the main office and shelter building will eventually be torn down because of its poor condition, delaying the organization’s plans for a low-barrier shelter.However, as the only available option for those enduring chronic homelessness, if the Salvation Army can no longer assist, it would put a lot of homeless individuals in violation of the city’s anti-camping ordinance.The only service provided by the City of Lawton to assist those who might be struggling with homelessness is covering the costs of one-way bus tickets out of town. However, according to Brinlee, that’s not a constructive solution.“We’re not going to bus-ticket our way out of this. We’re not going to ship chronic homeless off to another town and all of a sudden we don’t have a homeless problem,” Brinlee stated. “We’ve got to be able to pull people off the street and give them real answers for life.”However, we have reached out to city officials who stated in a press release that they are considering the feasibility of establishing a nonprofit to expand homeless services and potentially provide a low-barrier shelter for those in need.City Manager John Ratliff gave the following quote:“We recognize the essential work being done by local nonprofits and service providers, and we are grateful for their ongoing support. However, as the need grows, we are committed to stepping up and exploring additional solutions to ensure vulnerable individuals have access to shelter and assistance.”According to the press release, the city will have a plan in the following weeks should the Salvation Army have to halt operations.</div></body>

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LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - One of Lawton’s only organizations working to address chronic homelessness within the City of Lawton has been running into several setbacks. The Salvation Army opened their property for the homeless to set up tents, preventing them from being fined or jailed after the Lawton City Council approved an anti-camping ordinance back in November of 2024.

Lawton ’tent-city’ faces concerning setbacks

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LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - One of Lawton’s only organizations working to address chronic homelessness within the City of Lawton has been running into several s

Lawton ’tent-city’ faces concerning setbacks

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