In Hyattsville, Maryland, a condo complex called The Marylander, meant to be a private community, has become a hotspot for crime and decay due to a nearby homeless encampment. This situation highlights the problems that can arise when local governments prioritize “compassion” over enforcing laws and protecting the safety and property of their citizens.
For a long time, residents of The Marylander have had to deal with addicts using drugs in stairwells, needles and waste in hallways, and strangers sleeping in front of their doors. The homeless encampment next door has become a magnet for drug dealing, prostitution, and even gang activity, with reports of weapons found in the area.
The problems escalated when vagrants allegedly damaged the boiler room, leaving half the building without heat since last Thanksgiving. Some apartments have also lost electricity due to residents using space heaters to stay warm. Although the county told those without heat to leave, most have stayed, saying they have nowhere else to go.
Instead of addressing the root causes of the issue, local officials have taken a lenient approach, focusing on being “compassionate” towards the homeless. At a town hall meeting, officials emphasized that they were “not criminalizing the unhoused,” even as residents of The Marylander voiced their concerns about safety and property damage.
This hands-off approach has had serious consequences. The value of homes in the condo complex has dropped as the area has fallen into disrepair. Banks are unwilling to provide loans for security upgrades, and inspectors have deemed some apartments “unfit for human habitation.” The county is now taking the condo to court to force residents to evacuate, potentially making them homeless as well.
The situation at The Marylander shows how well-intentioned policies can backfire when they are not balanced with law enforcement and accountability. By prioritizing the needs of the homeless encampment over the safety and well-being of law-abiding citizens, the county has created a situation where everyone suffers.
The complex’s new management tried to make things better by putting up a fence to separate the property from the encampment. But, members of the camp quickly made a hole in the fence and continued to go onto the property. Once inside, these people would hurt residents, start fires, and leave waste in the hallways, causing problems for the people who lived there.
The condo owners have been caught in a frustrating situation. They are being asked to fix the damage caused by the encampment, but they lack the money and resources to do so because of the ongoing crime and vandalism. When they asked for help from local officials, they were threatened with fines and legal action for failing to maintain their property.
The Marylander is a clear example of what happens when government policies fail to protect the rights and safety of its citizens. It is a reminder that a balanced approach, one that combines compassion with accountability and law enforcement, is necessary to create safe and thriving communities for everyone.
