For 16 years, Danny Ervey has made his home in the woods, most recently alongside the cloverleaf ramps that form the Interstate 95 Dale City, Va., interchange. Rugs cover the ground outside his snug tent, an awning keeping them dry. Ervey's collection of cowboy boots is lined up neatly and decorations adorn the trees. But Thursday, the elaborate campsite was dismantled as Virginia State Police gave notice to Ervey and dozens of other homeless men and women that they had to clear out by day's end.
"This is not a joke," Ervey said. "This really hurts me. I'm 62 years old. Where am I going to go?"
About 80-100 homeless people created a tent community in the interchange and lived on Virginia Department of Transportation land. For years, authorities have overlooked the encampment, but a recent complaint from a citizen to a Prince William County delegate led VDOT to change course.
Ten days ago state troopers began passing by to warn residents of the impending moving day. Safety is the issue, they said.
"These areas are islands," state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said. "Most of these individuals come and go in the day and come back at night and walk across ramps that are not well lit. There are blind curves. It's safety for the individuals living here and for the motorists traveling through the area."
Some of the troopers marveled at what they found at some campsites. One man, from Ghana, had erected an impressive tee-pee structure. Outside, he'd built a mud oven for cooking and seemed to be working on the frame for a mud house.
After state police made a final sweep Thursday morning, VDOT crews moved in to clear out already abandoned campsites and then to roust out anyone remaining. State police assured squatters anyone making progress in packing up, wouldn't have their belongings hauled away.
Throughout the day, various church members drove up in pickups to help the homeless relocate.
Most of those in the woods complied with the orders to move on. State police said several people who refused to leave will be cited for trespassing and their belongings will be hauled away.
Most of the campers have no idea where they will go next.
"Everything we worked for is gone," lamented 20-year-old Mike Woodz. "You're pushing homeless people into the streets …We have no place to go."
