PCSO RESPONDS TO HOMELESSNESS IN PUTNAM CO.
PUTNAM COUNTY, TN – Wednesday, October 6, 2021, Sheriff Eddie Farris issued the following
statement regarding Operation Rescue, “As most of our citizens are aware, the homeless population in Putnam County has grown to a large extent during recent months and years. During that time my
administration has sought numerous avenues to address the situation in a way that benefits residents and business owners of Putnam County and helps the homeless find the help they need.
“We are blessed to live in a community that cares so much for one another and are always ready to help when called upon. There are numerous local religious and charity organizations that have and will continue to aid in our endeavors to help the homeless. However, despite all the opportunity, there remains some who refuse help from anyone and only continue harming themselves through the use of drugs and alcoholism which further endangers residents, business owners, and visitors to Putnam County. Additionally, damage to property and thefts have increased for homeowners as well as business owners. In some cases, employees and customers have been harassed. As your Sheriff I have worked and will continue to work to make sure our community remains a safe place to live.”
Sheriff Farris has received a signed waiver for criminal trespass from several property and business owners in Putnam County who have been directly impacted by homeless drug users trespassing and living on their property. For the last several weeks, Sheriff Farris and staff have been working with property and business owners to address the situation.
Farris continued, “What’s happening is over time these individuals have accumulated and have created makeshift tents and various living situations on private property and places of business, and it’s unacceptable. We have begun the process of verbally warning these individuals to remove themselves from the property. If they don’t do so in a timely manner, they will be arrested for criminal trespassing.”
For those that are homeless and really need help and are seeking help, the PCSO is working with several churches, charity organizations, and volunteers to do all we can to get them the help they need.
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Media Contact: Houston Hamblin, PIO | pio@putnamcountytnsheriff.gov | 931.265.8605