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A homeowner in Rutland says he has removed trees and other vegetation from his property in an effort to prevent people from using his yard as a place to hide, store belongings and use drugs.
Kris Hyam said he often finds items including clothing, tin foil, glass and drug paraphernalia on his property.
“Having someone on your page who wasn’t invited is very annoying. It feels like a violation,” Hyam said.
Kris and his family worked over three weekends to trim and remove the trees in his front yard.
Kris Hyam
Hyam decided to remove most of the privacy around his front yard. He said the job took three full weekends and cost about $600 for one dumpster, including delivery, pickup and disposal.
The goal is to eliminate all privacy in the front yard, he said.
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Hyam said people who have become homeless have left items on his property, along with used syringes and pipes.
He believes the location of his home contributed to the activity, pointing to nearby Lions Park and a welfare office.
“They are constantly fed in the park every day. And there is a welfare office a short distance from my house,” Hyam said.
But organizations serving people experiencing homelessness say there are alternatives for people who need a place to store their belongings.
Samuel Bradbury, a staff member at Metro Central, said the organization offers 24-hour storage, allowing people experiencing housing insecurity to safely leave their belongings overnight and pick them up the next day.
“They’ll know it’s going to be OK, we also have long-term storage for $20 a month. Daily storage is free,” Bradbury said.
Some of the items Kris found in his yard.
Kris Hyam
Hyam said he believes the tree removal has made a difference.
“We think it’s helping. We’ve noticed that homeless people seem to be walking past our house now,” he said.
Even so, Hyam said the situation made him consider leaving the neighborhood.
“I can’t continue living like this. I don’t want to continue raising my daughter like this,” she said.
His hope, he said, is to eventually be able to move somewhere he considers safer and more welcoming for his family.
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
