‘Like a stab in the back’: Homeless family’s belongings tossed during eviction

CHARLOTTE — For the last year and a half, Jo Smith and her family have been sleeping near 13th and Davidson streets in Charlotte.

“We were victims of Hurricane Matthew and we’ve been displaced since then,” she told Channel 9.

They’ve had no issues, but that all changed Friday morning when Smith said security guards showed up and started removing their items and blocking them from the property.

“I feel betrayed by the community, to be honest,” Smith told reporter Anthony Kustura.

The only hint she received about an eviction, she said, was a hard to read letter left near the area.

“All I had seen was it had some letters and the word ‘police’ on it,” Smith said.

After a rain-soaked night, private security guards and CMPD officers showed up and cleared the area, putting the family’s belongings in dumpsters -- items they had accumulated to survive on the streets.

“Blankets, tarps, firewood, food, water. All that is gone,” Smith said.

The four people who lived at that location, including Kei Bowman, rushed to save whatever they could.

“It was like no warning. You have 15 minutes,” Bowman said.

Precious mementos like photos and special keepsakes are now destroyed, and much-needed supplies are gone.

“This feels like a stab in the back,” said Adaiah Smith, who also lived on property.

The location is about a block from the former encampment known as “Tent City” near uptown. The county ordered that area to be cleared out and provided motel rooms for those impacted.

But Smith said, so far, that hasn’t been offered to her or the others.

“At least we’re together. We’re here and that’s what matters,” said Adaiah Smith.

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Cox Media Group