Hermitage Walmart Lot Draws Concern Over People Living in Cars

Photos of a tent and of people sleeping in cars at the Walmart on Andrew Jackson Parkway and Lebanon Pike have been passing around Hermitage social media. WKRN followed up with District 11 Councilmember Jeff Eslick.

Eslick told the station he hadn't seen the tent himself. He said he has been told that many unhoused people in the area live in their cars in Walmart's lot or other business lots, and that it's worse at night. A couple of years ago, a similar camp grew up nearby. Eslick said he worked with Metro's Office of Homeless Services and helped clean that site up personally.

The sticking point now, he said, is paperwork. If a property owner files a waiver with police, officers can ask people to leave private property and steer them toward the Office of Homeless Services. Without it, he said, "we're really kind of stuck." He called Walmart a good partner. He also said he doesn't want the lot to become what the Kroger plaza down the road once was.

Walmart said in a statement that the safety of its associates and customers is a top priority. The company said it is working with local leaders and community partners and treating everyone "with dignity and respect." WKRN said it had also reached out to the Office of Homeless Services.

Source: WKRN News 2.