GREENFIELD — As the encampment behind Green River Park faces frequent flooding and ongoing sanitation issues, Unhoused Community Committee members spoke with the police chief Thursday morning to discuss alternative sites in the city where the homeless could gather and camp.

The idea to create sanctioned zones for the homeless on parcels of public land where police would not enforce illegal camping laws was initially raised by the ad hoc committee last month. It resurfaced on Thursday after Police Chief Todd Dodge explained that large amounts of trash from the current encampment are being carried away by stormwater and released into the Green River.

“The concern we have with that waste, is when we do have flooding, which happens quite a bit, a lot of that goes out into the river,” Dodge explained. “To keep it out of there is a big deal.”

In response to Dodge’s concerns over waste, committee members suggested that finding an alternative site for the homeless would resolve the waste issue near the river and benefit those who would otherwise be sleeping in a floodplain.

Committee member Pamela Goodwin added that most of the homeless people in the area would “love to” clean up their sites, but they do not have garbage bags and many have trouble walking and standing. Dodge explained that many of the individuals camping near the Green River are there by choice.

“The reality of that is that’s where they want to be. If you move them, it’s going to be against their will,” Dodge said. “They want to be along the river. … That’s where they’re comfortable. … You can’t assume you’re going to put every single unhoused person in what you feel is a more safe, convenient location and think they’re going to stay.”

Commission member Rhys McGovern, in response to Dodge, said that since it is illegal to live in a tent in Greenfield, many of those living near the river are doing so to avoid arrest or police attention. Dodge countered this claim, explaining that to the best of his knowledge, he is not aware of a single individual who was arrested in Greenfield simply for being homeless. He said that while police might move along individuals camped on private property, or those staying overnight in city parks, they are not arrested.

Dodge also noted that through his interactions with the homeless, he has noticed that the “vast majority” of those living outside are doing so because they prefer it to living in a shelter or group home, where they have to abide by rules. Patrol officer and commission member Zoe Smith said she envisioned the encampment site would be similar to other affordable housing available in the city, only it would be an area sanctioned off for tents.

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Chair Sara Brown, acknowledging the challenges that come with the creation of a sanctioned homeless encampment, explained that, ideally, the proposed area would be a temporary solution for the unhoused — allowing them a place to pitch their tents that is not at risk of flooding and a place to dispose of waste.

“Sanctioned encampments may have some negative connotations with liability, so maybe that’s not exactly what we’re going toward,” Brown said. “Maybe just a place that’s organized with basic services — trash, sanitation, showers and bathrooms.”

In an effort to better understand the needs of the city’s homeless community, the committee is distributing an anonymous survey, available at bit.ly/gfldsurvey and in public areas across the city.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com.