GLOVERVILLE, S.C. () – Some living in Burnettown and Gloverville are speaking up after making big accusations against a local homeless ministry.

They’re raising questions about Walking Tall Ministry and their operations, but those concerned say the bigger problem is what they aren’t doing for the homeless.

The ministry has been operating in Gloverville for close to 10 years, but some say after nearly a decade, they aren’t seeing any progress when it comes to the homeless problem. 

“We’re seeing a steady incline in the homeless, and we’re seeing where they aren’t helping the community at all,” said Jennifer Morris. “In fact, it’s making it worse because crime is going up, and we see a lot more homeless. So, if you’re supposed to be helping the homeless, how are you doing that?”

Morris organizing a concerned citizens meeting over the weekend, joining community members who say crime and homelessness in the area has gone up at an alarming rate. 

“I used to have a business down in the bath area. I had to close it down because I had the homeless coming into business stealing, hanging out in the parking lots at night, and I didn’t get the support from law enforcement that I needed,” said Laura Casdorph.

They’re accusing the ministry of misappropriating funds, and moving homeless people into Aiken County from different parts of the country.

While the director says the accusations are false, they stem from scuffles with those living nearby in the past.

“There were a few folks in the community that we’ve had issues with before that don’t like what we do. They don’t like homeless people, they don’t like people with drug addiction,” said Zak Moyer. “I think anything they can use to attack this ministry with an end result of bringing the ministry down is what they would use.”

We asked Morris and other community members if they dislike homeless people, as Moyer claimed.

“No, I don’t. But I also don’t want them to be enabled. They need to be working towards something for themselves,” she said. “As far as drug addicts, the father of my kids and ex-husband actually died of a drug overdose. So, I have a special place in my heart for those people being rehabilitated.”

Community members are now looking to law enforcement and state representatives to take action.

Some are proposing the idea of a curfew to keep the homeless off the streets late at night. 

“I don’t know if a curfew is the answer or not, and does the curfew punish normal community citizens,” said Bubba Moyer. “We’re always worrying about the rights of the addict and the homeless—what about the taxpayers? Who’s working for them?”

They’ll have a lot more to say next week, as a town hall meeting at Aiken Tech is set for October 6th.