Bellingham police describe arrests as homeless encampment is dismantled
Three Bellingham residents were arrested Thursday morning, March 25, as city officials removed a homeless encampment from Laurel Park, according to police and jail records.
No injuries were reported in a brief standoff among protesters, police and Public Works and Parks & Recreation crews, said Police Lt. Claudia Murphy.
Arrested on suspicion of obstruction were Anne C. Fields, 22, Lance A. Post, 35, and Kainui Rapaport, 26, Murphy said in an email.
All three were booked into Whatcom County Jail and released Thursday, according to the jail bookings website.
Murphy said the arrests came as Public Works and Parks & Recreation employees, supported by police, dismantled about two dozen tents, bagged campers’ belongings for storage, and hauled away trash and personal items ruined by the elements.
Police blocked the four intersections around Laurel Park in the Sehome neighborhood about 8 a.m. Thursday, and about 20 officers in regular patrol uniforms stood watch around the park as the camp was dismantled.
Members of Bellingham Occupied Protest, also known as “the collective,” were assisting homeless campers and helping them move their tents and belongings — along with a separate nonprofit group, Serenity Outreach Services.
Bellingham Occupied Protest didn’t immediately respond to Bellingham Herald requests for comment through their social media accounts.
But on its Facebook page, the collective wrote: “The city of Bellingham swept Camp 210 this morning at Laurel Park. They arrested residents and volunteers who were defending themselves from this unjust displacement.”
Murphy said several people were interfering with social workers and others who were trying to find the campers temporary shelter and provide other aid.
“That’s what’s been happening all along,” Murphy said in an interview. “The is the first time we’ve been able to track it.”
Post was arrested as he entered tents that didn’t belong to him and rifled through others’ personal belongings, Murphy said in an email.
“Officers on scene told Post he was trespassing multiple times and requested he leave the park property. Post refused to leave and demanded to be arrested.,” she said.
Murphy said Fields and others were hampering police and social workers’ efforts to store one camper’s belongings and find them temporary shelter and services.
“Fields and several of her protester allies began to obstruct the business of the officers assisting the houseless individual,” Murphy said. “Fields refused to step aside and allow the officers and direct service providers to do their job. She was told to leave and refused to do so.”
Rapaport was arrested as he tried to prevent Fields’ arrest, Murphy said.
“He was also told to move out of the way several times, and willfully disobeyed that lawful order,” Murphy said. “When he interfered with the lawful arrest of Fields, he was now obstructing the officers and hindering and delaying their ability to do their work and further police resources were needed to make Rapaport’s arrest.”
