City officials, residents try to find solution for man living in trailer on neighborhood street

CHARLOTTE — Residents in the Belmont neighborhood talked Tuesday night about concerns over a man who has been living in a trailer on the street outside their homes.

Neighbors, police and city leaders agree that it is a complicated issue and are split on what to do to make the situation safe for everyone.

Myka El has called Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood home for decades.

El told Channel 9 that he has been moving around since his mother lost their home during the recession.

Now, he calls an RV and trailers parked on Harrill Street home.

“They make the rent so high,” El said. “If you’re already living on a week-to-week check, month-to-month check, it’s impossible.”

El said the high cost of housing and three years without a job has contributed to his living in his trailer.

“I mean, it’s an eyesore, honestly,” a neighbor said. “He got trash out there and you can’t walk on the sidewalk.”

A group of neighbors wants to see El and his trailers roll out of Belmont.

“I have seen him get aggressive with a lot of people,” said a woman, who did not want to be identified.

City employees have also run into trouble with El.

“The verbal abuse I took, and I continue to take, is massive from this gentleman,” said Dennis Whittington, a city code enforcement inspector.

Dozens of concerned neighbors showed up at the Belmont Community Association’s meeting to share their concerns.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said its hands are tied.

El is parked on a public street that doesn’t have a “no parking” sign.

“We’re trying things within our power because our power is given to us through the law,” said CMPD Capt. Stephen Fischback.

District 1 city council member Dante Anderson offered El temporary housing through A Roof Above, which he turned down.

Anderson said the city is looking at how other cities handle similar situations.

“There are civil rights and human rights that play a part in this,” she said. “So we want to be very thoughtful.”

El insists he’s not causing trouble and wants to enjoy another day in Belmont.

“At least I’m not stealing, nothing like that,” he said. “I’m not going out and taking. I’m going through the difficulties, whatever it is, to maintain another day.”

CMPD said it’s been responding to complaints about El’s trailers in Charlotte since the beginning of the year.

The city said that staff cited them for abandonment in a few different places.

They’re gone before the towing deadline and the process starts all over.

CMPD hopes to see a change in policy calling it a grey area.

VIDEO: Residents concerned about people living out of trailers on neighborhood street

Residents concerned about people living out of trailers on neighborhood street

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