Residents of the Waterford Bay Apartments in St. Paul say a homeless encampment in the wooded bluffs along the Mississippi River has expanded and become more alarming since the city closed a large encampment at Pig’s Eye Park earlier this month. The residents provided photos and daytime video to Alpha News showing camps, vehicles and makeshift structures in the woods behind the complex, located between Shepard Road and the river.
Neighbors report noise, generators and growing structures
One resident, who requested anonymity because of safety worries, told Alpha News,
“It has absolutely taken a turn for the worse over here. We had to call the police about what sounded like gunshots.”
In addition to reports of what he believed were gunshots, the resident described hearing what sounded like a large power source and a generator being used to build what he called “serious structures” that in other circumstances would require permits. He said the situation is particularly concerning at night, when he said it is too dangerous to enter the area and when people in the woods have been heard screaming for help.
Context: movement after Pig’s Eye Park encampment closure
The resident and other Waterford Bay neighbors said they saw an influx of people and vehicles near the bluffs after the city cleared its largest encampment at Pig’s Eye Park. Alpha News previously reported that following that closure, people and belongings appeared to move toward the wooded area behind Waterford Bay.
A daytime video shared on social media and provided to Alpha News showed vehicles entering the Waterford Bay parking lot and activity near the tree line. A post by reporter Jenna Gloeb shared footage and noted the area becomes more dangerous after dark.
What residents say they have observed
- Vehicles driving into the Waterford Bay parking area, according to photos and video provided to Alpha News
- Construction of larger makeshift structures, with sounds consistent with power tools and generators
- Noise at night including what residents described as gunshot-like sounds and people calling for help
Neighbors described fear for their personal safety and concern about the long-term impact on the property and nearby river bluffs. They said they have been contacting police when they hear suspicious or alarming sounds.
City actions and public-safety questions
The accounts echo broader questions facing St. Paul and other Twin Cities communities about how to manage unsanctioned encampments, public safety and the displacement of people experiencing homelessness when large sites are cleared. The closure at Pig’s Eye Park was aimed at addressing a concentrated encampment; residents say some of those displaced have relocated to the bluffs behind Waterford Bay.
Local officials have not been quoted directly in the materials provided to Alpha News, and the resident who supplied photos and video said he did not want to be identified because of safety concerns. The documentation provided included daytime images and short video clips but, the resident said, little material from after dark because of safety risks.
Immediate neighborhood impact
Waterford Bay is situated near major riverfront access and a stretch of Shepard Road that is frequently used by commuters and recreational users. Neighbors said the encampment’s presence has altered how they use nearby public spaces and prompted increased calls to police.
| Location | Reported issues |
|---|---|
| Wooded bluffs behind Waterford Bay Apartments | Encampment growth, generators, alleged gunshot sounds |
| Pig’s Eye Park (recently cleared) | Large encampment cleared by the city; displacement reported |
The resident who shared the materials characterized the scene as “amazed and horrified” at what he saw. He emphasized that while he and others have documentation from daytime, they consider the area too dangerous at night to safely capture additional photos or videos.
City officials and law enforcement have been involved publicly in clearing major encampments in St. Paul, but the situation at the Waterford Bay bluffs highlights ongoing challenges in addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness while maintaining public safety for residents and protecting riverfront lands. Neighbors say they expect continued police calls and hope for a city response that addresses both safety and services.
Alpha News provided the photos and video to the public and social media; local reporting and social posts have circulated the footage while city officials have not released a detailed update specific to the Waterford Bay bluff encampment in the materials shared with Alpha News.
Residents who shared photos and video say they will continue to document activity and report alarming incidents to police as they occur.
