\u201cCleanup on the Norfolk Southern property will include the downing of trees to deter people from reestablishing camps.”<\/p>\n
City of Bethlehem <\/p>\n
Also being cleared is land owned by UGI and the state Transportation Department to the west of the Fahy Bridge, as well as a city-owned \u201cheavily wooded steep slope tucked between the Nisky Hill Cemetery and the affected Norfolk Southern site,\u201d according to city officials.<\/p>\n
In November, Bethlehem decided to post regarding notice for its land \u201con the heels of several public safety emergencies where first responders faced numerous obstacles assisting injured individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Railroad officials estimate cleanup of the “informal living areas of unsheltered individuals,” led by a third-party contractor, will take about two weeks. <\/p>\n
More work may be needed for the city-owned land, according to a document shared by the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cCleanup on the Norfolk Southern property will include the downing of trees to deter people from reestablishing camps,\u201d it reads.<\/p>\n
![\"Bethlehem](\"https:\/\/static.lehigh-v.lehigh-valley.production.k1.m1.brightspot.cloud\/dims4\/default\/803c89f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4032x2268+0+0\/resize\/880x495!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flehigh-valley-brightspot.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fa6%2F43%2F4bb98c3e44bbb5bcad80a1cb2503%2Fimg-1271.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Will Oliver<\/p>\n
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LehighValleyNews.com<\/p>\n
Norfolk Southern railroad police and Bethlehem P.D. stood watch as an excavator razed a portion of a Bethlehem homeless encampment along the Lehigh River on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.<\/p>\n
The affected population<\/p>\n
For now, the city\u2019s Community Connections program \u2014 a Bethlehem Health Bureau and Police Department joint collaboration linking those in need with local social services organizations \u2014 had the following information to share:<\/p>\n
Since the August eviction notice from the railroad, 92 unique individuals have lived on the property.Two weeks ahead of the Dec. 15 eviction, there were an estimated 44 people still on site. A week ahead, there were around 10, all who said they planned to relocate by the deadline.Community Connections engaged with all of the 92 people and connected 78 with social services \u2014 including 11 with justice system navigation and compliance support, four with employment, three with substance-use treatment and 71 with other medical attention. \u201cThis work will continue,\u201d city officials said.Seventy-five of the 92 people relocated, including 31 to other outdoor locations, 12 to Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering<\/a> and three to out of the area or rejoining family. Eleven had outstanding criminal warrants and were arrested (BPD reported no arrests the day of the eviction).Three Coordinated Assistance Resource Events at nearby Sand Island for unsheltered population over the past three months.\u00a0On Dec. 15, the Health Bureau had its mobile health clinic on site. \u201cBPD and Community Connections accompanied Norfolk Southern and facilitated the relocation of any remaining individuals and connected them to social services.\u201dConfirmed by Bob Rapp of BES, the shelter has been at or near capacity for men\u2019s beds and has had limited beds open for women.City and BES are working toward rehabilitating the shelter at 75 E. Market St. to convert it to year-round operation. It currently operates in an overnight capacity from Nov. 1 through April 30. Bethlehem has put $2 million to the $6 million project.\u00a0Bethlehem also will join Lehigh Conference of Churches in converting Packer Avenue apartment building into an 11-unit emergency shelter to open later in 2027 or early in 2028.Bethlehem is an active member of the Lehigh Valley Regional Homelessness Advisory Governing Board<\/a>.’Supremely depressing’<\/p>\n