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Unauthorized People at the Site

Friends,

MPF volunteers have experienced dozens of unauthorized people at the site this past month. At least one arrest has occurred. Others have been escorted off the property. Most run away or hide when approached. We work regularly, as we have done for almost three years now, with Springfield Police and social service agencies to deal with the persistence of trespass at the site. Unfortunately, the massive structures within the fence line at the 18-site are just too attractive for certain groups and individuals. And, like so many other vacant industrial sites, keeping these folks out is nearly impossible. Holes are cut in the perimeter fence every week.

We estimate that hundreds of unauthorized people (trespassers) come to the site each year. It has been a community problem dating back to the closure of the plant in 2001.  What we have learned is that there are six general groups of unauthorized people that visit the site regularly: local explorers and thrill seekers, traveling industrial site explorers, graffiti artists, the unhoused, street drug-users, and metal scrapers. Of these six groups, the metal scrapers are the most problematic. They bring tools to cut the fence and are on-site with the full intent of committing crimes (criminal damage to property, burglary, etc.). And suffice to say, they do not play well with others.

All unauthorized people at the site are placing themselves in harm’s way. The challenge of dealing with these folks at the site has involved strategic deterrence measures, close working relationships with Neighborhood Police Officers (NPOs), and neighborhood watch. Volunteers regularly sweep through buildings to flush out trespassers and maintain a reasonable level of site safety.

Today we are taking time to thank our dedicated site safety volunteers and law enforcement officers. The job is tough. The interactions with trespassers are often tough. Calling for police assistance is never fun. Searching through the large and deteriorated building is always dangerous. But we know it is the right thing to do for our neighbors and community at-large.

And yes…we also want to thank everyone who has supported this important community project. When the buildings come down later this year, we will all get to experience improvement in community health, public safety, social and environmental justice, and economic development.

~ Team Pillsbury

MPF volunteers have experienced dozens of unauthorized people at the site this past month. Like so many other vacant industrial sites, keeping these folks out is nearly impossible. Holes are cut in the perimeter fence every week.
MPF volunteers have experienced dozens of unauthorized people at the site this past month. Like so many other vacant industrial sites, keeping these folks out is nearly impossible. Holes are cut in the perimeter fence every week.
MPF volunteers have experienced dozens of unauthorized people at the site this past month. The metal scrapers are the most problematic. They bring tools to cut the fence and are on-site with the full intent of committing crimes and they do not play well with others.
The metal scrapers are the most problematic. They bring tools to cut the fence and are on-site with the full intent of committing crimes and they do not play well with others.
We thank our site safety volunteers and law enforcement officers. Interactions with trespassers are often tough, and calling for police assistance is never fun. Searching through the large and deteriorated building is always dangerous. But we know it is the right thing to do for our neighbors and community at-large.
We thank our site safety volunteers and law enforcement officers. Interactions with trespassers are often tough, and calling for police assistance is never fun. Searching through the large and deteriorated building is always dangerous. But we know it is the right thing to do for our neighbors and community at-large.