Council considers effects of homeless population on Glenstone businesses 

Business owner Isreal Reel says he cares about the needs of homeless people. He has donated time to feed the hungry, and his church has a ministry for them. 

But now he worries the homeless population outside his store is creating a dangerous situation while driving away customers. 

“I’m going to have to close my doors,” he told Springfield City Council during the public comment portion of its regular meeting Monday night. 

Reel said he has worked hard to establish his business, Itty & Boo’s Pipe Emporium, at 2109 N. Glenstone Ave.  

“People who know me know I work every odd job I can. I pinch every dime I can to make that business happen,” he said. 

Reel said he sent Councilmember Abe McGull photos of some of the problems he has encountered.  

“I’ve sent Abe pictures of people sitting outside my shop shooting heroin, getting mad because I call police and then – ugh – defecating on my windows,” he said. “There’s been shootings; there’s been stabbings. It’s like a highway through North Glenstone going to the center.” 

Reel was referring to the O’Reilly Center for Hope, located in the Robberson neighborhood at 1518 E. Dale St. at the former George Pepperdine School. In addition to Reel, who spoke of his business interests at the meeting, three residents of the neighborhood near the center approached council to discuss their experiences with the people visiting the center. 

The O'Reilly Center for Hope, which opened in September 2020, is a Community Partnership of the Ozarks Inc. project that houses several agencies available to people in poverty or homelessness situations. The organizations include One Door, which serves the homeless population with referrals to shelter services; the Springfield Community Land Trust, which aims to provide affordable housing options to those who qualify; Isabel’s House, a crisis housing source for children; and Legal Services of Southern Missouri, which helps those who have legal needs but can’t afford an attorney. The center also provides computer access, laundry and shower services, mail services, and hygiene and first aid supplies, according to its website. 

Homeowners from Robberson who spoke at the meeting described unsanitary conditions, including trash and bodily waste in alleyways, and fear of danger. One homeowner, Diana Hodges, said she witnessed her cat being kicked by what she described as a transient in the alleyway. 

The businesses along Glenstone are a common area for people to congregate, according to Reel, who told council his neighbor businesses, too, experience problems. He said he has spoken to people at Andy’s Frozen Custard, Fazoli’s, Stone Income Tax Service and ABC Books, and all agree: “It’s a thoroughfare of nothing but trash and violence,” he said. 

Reached at her business this morning, ABC Books owner Valerie Earhart confirmed Reel’s observations. 

“We’ve been here for some time and things have changed a lot,” Earhart said, noting ABC Books, Andy’s and Fazoli’s all front Glenstone.  

“We really do a pretty good job of not allowing people to prospect and to beg for money in our parking lot because that’s all private property. We run people off a little bit.” 

While Earhart has to pick up trash every day, she said the mess Reel faces is in a whole different category. 

“Back where Isreal’s business is and some of his neighbors, that’s where people congregate. There’s a lot of trash, and a lot of dangerous trash,” she said. “I pick up a lot of stuff every day, but the stuff they deal with every day is different.” 

Reel told council last night that it isn’t unusual to find multiple hypodermic needles on his property each day, in addition to garbage and human waste. 

Earhart said she would love for the city to get involved.  

“We can’t do this ourselves,” she said. “We’re trying to service our customers; we’re trying to run our businesses. We’re not equipped to be social agencies. 

“While we are definitely open to helping people, this has gone well beyond that. I would welcome any assistance they could provide.” 

Council members and residents have forwarded concerns to the city manager. No course of action has yet been announced on the issue, but Councilmember McGull said he would like to see a task force put together. 

“I’ve seen the pictures,” he said.  

He added CPO needs to be brought into the conversation. 

Councilmember Craig Hosmer said the issue seems to be getting worse instead of better.  

“As a community, we tolerate way too much,” he said. “We’re going in the wrong direction.” 

Councilmember Andrew Lear agreed.  

“This is a problem that’s escalating, and it’s going to require more services,” he said. “Part of it is policing, absolutely.” 

Another part of it has to do with mental health services, Lear said, and with people having a place where it is legal for them to be. 

“It’s going to take money and it’s going to take resolve,” Lear said. 

Reached at her office today, Michelle Garand, CPO’s vice president of affordable housing and homeless prevention, acknowledged the seriousness of the issue for homeowners and businesses in the neighborhood. 

“They have some pretty serious concerns and have a right to be upset,” she said. 

Garand said CPO is working closely with the Robberson Neighborhood Association, faith organizations and the Springfield Police Department to help find solutions. 

When asked if the O’Reilly Center for Hope is drawing people to the neighborhood, Garand said she couldn’t be sure. 

“We are definitely providing services that people are seeking,” she said. “We are a draw for people that really are trying to work their way out of the situation that they’re faced with. Are we drawing the population that is wreaking havoc in the neighborhood? I couldn’t say yes to that. I don’t even know that they’re the population we’re serving.” 

Garand emphasized that CPO and the O’Reilly Center for Hope share the desire to make Robberson a great neighborhood in which to live.  

“We are a member of that neighborhood now, and we want to channel every resource we can to help our neighbors,” she said.