SYRACUSE, NY (NCC News) — A newly constructed fence at the end of Dickerson Street is sparking strong reactions in the city Syracuse, especially among those living at the nearby Rescue Mission homeless shelter.
The fence, erected in recent weeks, blocks direct access from the shelter to downtown Syracuse. City leaders, in collaboration with the Syracuse Police Department and the Department of Public Works, say the barrier is part of a broader public safety initiative. The goal, they say, is to shield vulnerable populations from drug activity and criminal behavior in the area.
But those impacted say the fence is doing more harm than good.
When NCC News visited the Rescue Mission to speak with shelter residents, all of them declined to appear on camera — but each spoke passionately and vividly about how the fence made them feel. They described the move as inhumane, saying it takes away their freedom and isolates them even further from the rest of the community.
“They’re blocking the community from homeless people. They’re blocking the homeless people from the community,” one man said.
Many compared the new barrier to a cage, saying it sends a message that homeless individuals are not welcome in Syracuse’s downtown district.
“It’s not right. It’s a power trip,” said Traiyll Martin, who is experiencing homelessness. “It’s a way to be lazy. It’s a way to keep people confused out here. It’s a shelter, not a prison. All we’re trying to do is sleep and shower.”
The Rescue Mission on Dickerson Street is one of the largest homeless shelters in Central New York, offering temporary housing, meals and resources to those in need. Just steps away is downtown Syracuse — home to attractions like Salt City Market and several small businesses that rely on steady foot traffic.
Many believe that this new fence only deepens the divide between the city’s growing downtown area and its underserved populations.
While city officials argue the fence is intended to protect the public and promote order, critics say it’s a short-sighted solution to a much more complex issue. Residents and advocates alike are calling for it to be taken down and replaced with real, long-term support.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: City fence sparks frustration among Syracuse’s homeless community
Laila Rogers: Thanks, Chance and Josh. I’m currently standing in front of Salt City Market — a popular Syracuse business just one block away from one of the city’s largest homeless shelters, and steps away from where new fencing has recently been installed. The city has put up a fence at the end of Dickerson Street, blocking residents of the Rescue Mission from easily accessing downtown. City officials, working with police and public works crews, say this is part of a public safety initiative aimed at keeping drugs and criminal activity out of the area. But some residents see it differently. Traiyll Martin, a person currently experiencing homelessness, shared his frustrations:
Traiyll Martin: It’s a power trip. It’s a way to be lazy, and it’s a way to keep people confused out there. It’s a shelter — not a prison. All we’re trying to do is sleep and shower.
Laila Rogers:That was just one of the many voices I heard while visiting the Syracuse Rescue Mission. When I spoke with several individuals outside the shelter, they made it clear they did not want to be on camera, but they told me they feel the fence strips them of their freedom. They believe it’s an effort to isolate them — a way to keep poverty in one place and out of view.
Traiyll Martin: They’re blocking the community from homeless people. They’re blocking homeless people from the community.
Laila Rogers: The Rescue Mission, located right on Dickerson Street, is one of the largest shelters in the city and serves hundreds, if not thousands, of people in need. Just on the other side of the fence is downtown Syracuse, a busy hub filled with local businesses, including Salt City Market.While city leaders say the fencing is meant to protect public safety, many residents see it as harmful and dehumanizing — and they’re hoping those fences come down soon.Reporting in Syracuse, I’m Laila Rogers, NCC News.