Akron has settled a federal lawsuit involving how it removes homeless citizens’ belongings from public and private property, agreeing to change its policies and pay $20,000 in damages and court costs.
“This is an important victory for the homeless community — people all too often marginalized and abused,” Case Western University School of Law professor Avidan Cover said in a prepared statement.
Case Western filed suit against Akron in October 2014, claiming city officials and police unfairly seized and destroyed homeless citizens’ tents, documents and other personal property in a series of raids since 2010. As part of the lawsuit, homeless Akron man, Patrick Moe claimed he lost his tent and official U.S. military documents during a raid in November 2013.
The settlement, approved this week by U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent in Cleveland, calls for the city to give 48 hours written notice before removing belongings from public property.
Akron also is required to notify a homeless advocacy group.
The city must store any seized items on public property for at least 30 days and set up procedures so those belongings can be reclaimed.
The settlement was brokered by the city, Case Western and the Sremack Law Firm.
James Hardy, chief of staff for Mayor Dan Horrigan, said the city will benefit from the agreement.
“In our view, having a written protocol in place will help us to serve all residents who are homeless and not homeless,” he said.
The settlement notes that the city agreed to give a check to the law firm for damages and pay for court costs. The amounts are not disclosed in the agreement, but Hardy said the total amount is $20,000.
Several homeless men and women at Grace Park said Thursday morning that they haven’t had any problems with police taking their belongings.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.