New Hampshire
Family calls cops 37 times, receives death threats from encampment of violent vagabonds behind dream home: ‘I can’t even use my backyard’
Their dream home has become a place of nightmares.
A New Hampshire family is being terrorized by a homeless encampment that sprouted up behind their historic home, leading to violent encounters with the vagrants, according to a report.
Robin Bach and her husband spent years restoring their 19th-century dream home in Concord to raise their two children, ages 8 and 11 — but have been plagued by the campers living in the woods behind the palatial abode.
They’ve received death threats and have heard gunshots and screams from beyond the tree line. A swingset in their backyard, bought in 2020 during the pandemic, sits untouched by her terrified children, who will only play in the front yard.
“I can’t even use my backyard. My kids can’t go out there,” Bach told the Concord Monitor. “I would like my children to be independent and feel comfortable going outside and playing and they won’t.
“This is the worst it’s ever been, It’s the worst it’s ever been.”
Since purchasing the house in 2018 with grand plans to renovate and raise a family, Bach has called police 37 times, according to police records reviewed by the newspaper. Six calls were for an area check, another six for disturbances as well as domestic violence and criminal trespassing incidents.
During one of their first summers in the house, Bach’s husband found a man, who they had previously seen lurking in the woods near some tents, sitting in their backyard. When he asked the man to leave, the interloper threatened to shoot him.
The man returned several times until Bach filed a restraining order against him — and cops hauled him off in handcuffs as her young children watched, she told the Concord Monitor.
In another incident, she was teaching her son how to do laundry when they heard chilling screams of some yelling, “Get off me, get off me” coming from the encampment, prompting another police call.
A dumpster fire behind a neighbor’s home two doors down sent wailing firetrucks rushing up her street to put out the blaze, the outlet said.
When Bach asked for a quote to install a chain link fence around her property, she was disheartened to learn that it would cost $50,000, she told the Monitor.
“I can’t afford to clean it up. I can’t physically do it myself,” she said about the garbage visible from the house. “So the trash remains.”
What was once just one or two tents when she first moved in, the camp has ballooned to about half a dozen, as New Hampshire experiences one of the largest percentage increases in homelessness in the country, according to the paper.
The encampment on Bach’s property poses a unique challenge because it borders property and train tracks owned by CSX, a freight railroad company.
While Concord police can go and issue no-trespassing orders at any time, CSX also has its own police detail that will sweep the area and arrest people.
Police are able to clear out the camp and have done so a few times and tried to connect them with local programs to find stable housing — but that’s the extent of the city’s involvement on private property, meaning the litter stays.
And, after the police have moved the campers out, they just return in a matter of days, Bach told the Monitor.
“We have a pretty significant homeless problem,” Barrett Moulton, the deputy chief of patrol and police liaison on the city’s homeless steering committee, told the outlet. “They’re going to be somewhere.”
“It’s Whack-a-Mole,” Bach echoed. “You can’t just ask them to leave, they’re going to go somewhere else. You have to give them someplace to go.”
Bach understands that squatters behind her home need assistance and stability. She recently spoke to a man who holds a day job and tries to keep the area around his ten clean.
She and other local leaders believe a solution would be to create a designated campsite for the homeless in the city, where much-needed resources and outreach can be concentrated in one place.
“You can put your tent here, here’s bathrooms, dumpsters,” she said. “They’ve come here and told them to move a million times, they don’t move.”
The Supreme Court ruled last week that homeless people can be ticketed and fined for camping on public property in a landmark decision, which will likely lead to cities across the country to take legal action against the unhoused.
Last year, about 650,000 individuals in the US lacked a permanent place to live, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, a 12% increase from 2022 and the most since tracking began in 2007.
We finally made it to the weekend — a decent weekend at that! But big weather changes are right around the corner.
As we move through this Saturday, a weak cold front will swing through Eastern Mass and southern New Hampshire, giving way to a few morning showers and sprinkles.
Otherwise, we’ll see partly sunny skies. Skies will gradually clear by evening. High temperatures will rise into the low 70s. Tonight, a few clouds are possible with low temperatures in the low 50s.
Hey, talking about tonight — you might have a chance to see the Northern Lights. The K-Index is hinting at a decent opportunity tonight, especially over northern New England.
So, the farther north you are, the better the likelihood to see the aurora. And with a mostly clear sky expected, it should be ideal to experience it. Let us know if you see the aurora!
On Sunday, with the cold front to our south, expect mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will be a tad cooler, too, reaching the mid 60s for highs. Lows will drop into the low 50s.
Umbrella weather is headed our way for Monday! In fact, we’re tracking a stronger cold front that will slide through Boston. So, expect showers Monday morning during the morning commute through at least the mid-afternoon. No severe weather is in the forecast. Highs will be in the mid 60s.
Another surge of cooler weather will push in from Tuesday into Wednesday, delivering quite a chill to Greater Boston. In fact, highs will be in the upper 50s for both Wednesday and Thursday with morning temperatures in the mid to upper 40s.
“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, a.o-button”} }”>
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!
>”,”name”:”in-content-cta”,”type”:”link”}}”>Download the app.
Access Fund and Central New Hampshire Climbers’ Association (CNHCA) have announced the purchase of a key parcel of land in Thornton, New Hampshire, to provide access to the popular Merriam Woods crag.
Merriam Woods (sometimes known as Russell Crags) is one of the most recently developed crags in New Hampshire. Some have even compared it to the iconic Rumney in terms of its potential for high-quality climbing and its natural setting.
The acquisition encompasses five acres of land that abuts the White Mountain National Forest and Merriam Woods—conservation land owned and managed by the town of Woodstock, New Hampshire. Use of the area is only expected to increase, and with that increase comes the need to develop sustainable climbing infrastructure.
“We are excited to acquire this land and work to build a new parking lot,” says CNHCA President Jay Knower. “With the increasing popularity of Merriam Woods and the surrounding Russell Crags, this project will help alleviate potential issues caused by visitor use and foster good will among the community at large.”
Access to the crags around Woodstock has been a historical challenge. In the spring of 2023, discussions were underway between local climbers and the Woodstock Conservation Commission regarding the imperiled climbing access to Merriam Woods. One of the key concerns raised by local residents was the need for sufficient parking along the road to the crag.
Around the same time, Knower connected with the sellers. “We noticed that this piece of land was the only privately held parcel near Merriam Woods,” says Knower. “So we approached the owners about purchasing it, figuring that it wouldn’t hurt to ask.” The owners agreed to sell their property to CNHCA and were very supportive of the organization’s plans to build a small parking lot for climbers and other recreationists at a new trailhead. The lot will address landowner concerns and provide an avenue for sharing up-to-date information about proper use of these areas.
“Climbers from CNHCA and Access Fund spent a significant amount of time working with the town of Woodstock to keep climbing open and conserved at Merriam Woods,” says Brian Tickle, Access Fund’s national acquisitions director. “This acquisition is a reminder that sustainable climbing often requires infrastructure beyond just trails, staging areas, and fixed anchors, and it also serves as an example of climbers addressing the needs of neighboring landowners.”
Not an Access Fund Member? Either become one or consider donating to Access Fund here.
Nonprofit is gathering insight about homeownership sentiment
New Hampshire Housing is gathering data to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and sentiments of current and potential homebuyers.
The Homebuying Sentiment Survey, which launched Oct. 3, targets renters and those who currently do not own a home. The goal is to gather insights that will help shape effective programs and policies to support homeownership in New Hampshire, the nonprofit said in a press release.
New Hampshire Housing is partnering with NH Business Review, New Hampshire Magazine and Stay Work Play to promote the survey and ensure it reaches a broad audience of potential homebuyers. The survey seeks to assess the attitudes and challenges faced by both homebuyers and renters.
By gathering data on their experiences with the homebuying process, affordability perceptions and primary barriers, New Hampshire Housing aims to refine its homeownership programs to better meet the needs of residents and provide critical data to lenders and lawmakers on how best to serve their needs, the release said.
“We are at a critical juncture where housing affordability and availability have become top concerns for New Hampshire residents,” said Matthew Gallant, senior manager of business development of New Hampshire Housing, in a statement.
“This survey will provide valuable insights into the real challenges facing our first-time homebuyers and help us develop meaningful solutions to support them in achieving their dream of homeownership,” he said.
The survey has three objectives:
- Assess homeownership sentiment: Understand the attitudes of renters and potential homebuyers regarding the affordability and feasibility of purchasing a home.
- Identify barriers: Pinpoint key obstacles faced by homebuyers, including financial challenges, market availability, and downpayment concerns.
- Demographic insights: Collect demographic data to build a clearer picture of the diverse needs of homebuyers across New Hampshire
Participants who complete the survey will receive a $5 gift card as a token of appreciation for their time and input.
For more information or to participate visit NHHomeownership.org.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24007893/acastro_STK112_android_02.jpg "An Android feature now rolling out locks your screen if your phone is swiped")
An Android feature now rolling out locks your screen if your phone is swiped
Rising from the ashes: Israelis in nation's war-torn south move home a year after October 7 massacre
Speaker Johnson rips ‘lack of leadership’ in Biden admin's Helene response: 'alarmed and disappointed'
Health, happiness and helping others are vital parts of free and responsible society, Founding Fathers taught
Cal fans break through ESPN's 'College GameDay' barricades ahead of Miami showdown
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Speaker Johnson rips ‘lack of leadership’ in Biden admin's Helene response: 'alarmed and disappointed'
Israel hits Beirut’s southern suburbs with a dozen airstrikes
The historic Biltmore Estate, an Asheville icon, works to recover from Helene damage
Video: Where Trump and Harris Stand on the Economy
Trump says Israel should hit Iran’s nuclear facilities, slamming Biden’s response
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25439572/VRG_TEC_Textless.jpg "Charter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year")
Technology3 days agoCharter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year
-
World2 days agoUkrainian stronghold Vuhledar falls to Russian offensive after two years of bombardment
-
World2 days agoWikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed
-
Technology2 days agoBeware of fraudsters posing as government officials trying to steal your cash
-
Politics1 week agoSecret Service agent accused of sexually assaulting Harris campaign staffer: report
-
World1 week agoPutin outlines new rules for Russian use of vast nuclear arsenal
-
Sports16 hours agoFreddie Freeman says his ankle sprain is worst injury he's ever tried to play through
-
Virginia4 days agoStatus for Daniels and Green still uncertain for this week against Virginia Tech; Reuben done for season