Beginning at 9 a.m. yesterday morning, the Seneca Nation in partnership with the City of Salamanca began the removal of multiple illegal vagrant encampments across the Allegany Territory. These encampments present a risk to community health, safety, environment, and are in direct violation of Seneca Nation Laws and Ordinances. A taskforce comprised from several agencies have identified over 14 active and inactive sites throughout the Nations Territory, within the City, along wood lines, and in areas less traveled. Removal began along the Pennsy Trail system and will continue throughout the Territory.
Operational Task Force Members include:
- Seneca Nation Allegany Conservation
- Seneca Nation Marshals
- Seneca Nation Department of Public Works
- Seneca Fire & EMS
- Seneca Nation President Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr.
- City of Salamanca Police Department
- City of Salamanca Mayor Sandra Magiera
Update: 2 p.m. EST (8/8/24): Thank you to everyone for your engaging and thoughtful comments. We welcome open dialogue and are eager to maintain clear and transparent communication on our social channels. This initiative, led by President Armstrong, has been planned with a multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts over an extended time period, with careful consideration given not only to the well-being of first responders at the forefront of this operation, but also for those affected by today’s operations. The Seneca Nation and the Executive Office, along with cooperation from the City of Salamanca, have worked diligently to provide care to those in need and to offer humane and fair treatment across the Territory.