TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – In the past year, there has been an uptick in the homeless community in areas like downtown Terre Haute.
Now, this is affecting local downtown businesses.
“I never used to have to lock my salon door during the day,” said owner of Ciao Bella Hair Salon, Danna Andreas. “I find when I have clients in my chair just as a comfort for both of us, I end up locking my door throughout the day.”
Andreas has been the owner of Ciao Bella Hair Salon for the last 7 years and says the increase has caused not only herself, but even her clients to be uncomfortable walking into her salon.
“My younger clients and my older clients ask me to walk them to their cars a lot more and even walk them into my business,” said the Ciao Bella Hair Salon owner.
The salon is located near South 7th Street, near the Terre Haute Police Station, Vigo County Public Library, and other businesses. This is the general area that the homeless population continues to rise, even with downtown Terre Haute continuing to grow.
“You know with the investments that people are making downtown, with the Convention Center, new hotels going in, we’re doing that to drive business into Terre Haute and people are going to be turned away because of feeling uncomfortable and intimidated by those surrounding it,” said Danna Andreas.
The CEO of Light House Mission, Timothy Fagg says there are plenty of resources in Vigo County for the homeless, but people simply don’t want to use them.
“A lot of folks who are sleeping downtown don’t want to stay in the shelter. Here
or anywhere else for that matter,” said Timothy Fagg.
“We have seen an uptick in people not choosing to stay in the shelter but rather going downtown, sleeping on the park benches, or in front of businesses which doesn’t look good and isn’t good for Terre Haute.”
The Light House Mission is located at 1201 S 13th Street with availability and space for those in need. And they also mentioned they want to and are more than ready to help the community.
We reached out to the Terre Haute Police Department for a statement:
The Terre Haute Police Department responds to complaints and concerns as requested by members of our community. When interacting with individuals who are homeless it is our goal to provide assistance and resources to the best of our ability, to include the assistance of the department’s social worker.
Sgt. Justin Sears – Terre Haute Police Department
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