Bobbie Stevens, a 50-year-old woman who has spent over a decade living on the streets of Eugene, Oregon, is facing yet another challenge in her fight against homelessness. After losing her leg to amputation due to a lingering infection, Stevens relies heavily on a mobility scooter to navigate the city. However, the city's recent cleanups of homeless encampments have left her without her essential device, highlighting the complexities and hardships faced by the homeless population.
Stevens, who moved to Eugene from Tennessee in her early 20s, had a stable life with her husband and children until she lost her leg and, subsequently, her home. For 12 years, she has lived in parks and on the streets, struggling to find stability and resources to improve her situation.
"I didn't know homelessness existed like this until I came to Eugene," Stevens said, reflecting on her experiences in the city.
The loss of her mobility scooter has compounded her struggles. Stevens had previously had her scooter taken by Eugene Parks and Open Space on two occasions, but she was able to retrieve it both times. However, after the third time her scooter was seized, it has since gone missing, leaving her without her primary means of transportation.
"We have to walk, or find someone who is willing to give us a ride," Stevens explained, detailing the difficulties she now faces in getting around without her scooter.
The issue of property seizure during homeless encampment cleanups is a contentious one in Eugene. When individuals are arrested during these operations, regardless of their housing status, their belongings are taken to evidence facilities through the Eugene Police Department or the Lane County Sheriff's Office. However, the process can be confusing, and Stevens and her friend Thomas Zoll have expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding which department is responsible for their belongings.
"The Eugene Police Department and Eugene Parks and Open Space work together in some instances, with Housing Support or Park Resource officers, leaving individuals confused on which department has their belongings," Zoll said.
The Eugene Parks and Open Space department, which preserves and monitors over 5,000 acres of parks, trailheads, and gardens across Lane County, has been operating a Park Watch program that has led to numerous complaints about illegal camping. While the department states that all personal property taken during cleanups is stored at the City Personal Property Storage Facility, Stevens and Zoll have found it challenging to retrieve their belongings without assistance.
Stevens' situation has also brought attention to the broader issue of addiction and recovery in the homeless population. After her husband's death and subsequent struggles with addiction, Stevens has been working to stay clean, a journey that she says has been made more difficult by the loss of her mobility scooter.
"We just need someone to believe in us sometimes," Stevens said, reflecting on her hopes for the future. "I have a 5-year-old granddaughter, I want to be something she's proud of."
The story of Bobbie Stevens and her lost mobility scooter serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the homeless population in Eugene and the broader issue of property seizure during encampment cleanups. As the city grapples with these complex issues, the need for compassion, understanding, and effective solutions becomes increasingly apparent.
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