St. Paul Mayor Vows to Continue Encampment Closures

Mayor Kaohly Her plans to clear city encampments despite a council resolution calling for more engagement time.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Law Enforcement

St. Paul Mayor Vows to Continue Encampment Closures

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St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her has announced her intent to proceed with the closure of homeless encampments across the city, citing public safety concerns. This directive continues despite a recent unanimous City Council vote calling for a 60-day engagement period before clearing such sites.

Why it matters

The conflict reflects a growing tension between city leadership and the council regarding how to address the needs of homeless residents while managing public safety issues for nearby neighbors.

The city has allocated $1 million toward expanding shelter bed capacity, though only 7 of the 140 residents from the cleared Pig's Eye Park camp opted into shelter space. Future clearings face a non-binding 60-day engagement request from the council.

The players

Kaohly Her

She serves as the Mayor of St. Paul and has directed the closure of local homeless encampments.

Axel Henry

He is the St. Paul Police Chief who filed a sexual harassment complaint and a lawsuit against the mayor.

Erica Schumacher

She acts as the First Assistant Mayor and currently manages communication between the mayor and the police department.

The details

Mayor Her maintains that clearing sites is necessary to address safety concerns from residents living near camps like those currently on Shepard Road and at a former Kmart. Meanwhile, administrative communication between the mayor and the police department is now being handled by First Assistant Mayor Erica Schumacher following recent legal disputes.

July 2026: Police Chief Axel Henry filed a sexual harassment complaint against the mayor.
August 2026: The city closed the encampment at Pig's Eye Park.
September 2026: Police Chief Axel Henry filed a lawsuit alleging unwanted touching and retaliation.
October 2026: An independent investigation report cleared the mayor of sexual harassment charges.
October 20, 2026: The St. Paul City Council approved a resolution calling for 60 days of engagement before clearings.

Legal Context

The situation follows a pattern of heightened tension between the city's executive branch and the legislative body. By moving forward with encampment closures despite the council's resolution, the administration is challenging the procedural oversight established by local lawmakers.

Residents living near identified encampment sites may see changes to their local environment as the city continues its clearing efforts. City-wide outreach teams and county partners remain active in connecting individuals with available shelter beds.

The takeaway

The city's approach to homelessness involves balancing immediate site clearance with the expansion of shelter capacity. Residents are encouraged to monitor local city announcements for updates regarding outreach programs and upcoming clearing timelines.