"We can hear you moving around up there mother-fucker. Come down or I’ll kick your ass. We’re bringing up the dogs. Give you the count of three. Don’t make me hurt you." Soldiers doing a house sweep in Baghdad? No, just Pittsburgh’s finest doing their job. And just what is their job on this fine morning in May? They are removing 20- year-old Grace Keller from her home at 55 Beelen Street. This event marks a sort of climax in a dispute that began to really heat up in February of 2004.

Beelen Street is a dead end street that sits on a steep hillside overlooking the Monongahela River. The Pittsburgh neighborhood map places Beelen Street in West Oakland but others call the neighborhood Terrace Village. It is also part of the larger Hill District neighborhood. Despite its steep topography the area is rumored to be square in the sights of the property-grabbing, massive not-for-profit University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

A few years ago, young mutual aid and anti-authoritarian-minded social activists, simply called "punks" by the police, moved into 2312 Beelen Street. They have a lease agreement with the property owner. From this location they offer hospitality to folks who pass through town and who come to Pittsburgh for such regional actions as the big anti-war convergence held here in January, 2003. These "punks" also cook meals two times a week and share them with any and all takers, especially those who are hungry and have no place to call home. They are part of a larger network called Food Not Bombs. The attitude of the police toward the young residents on Beelen Street during the past few years has been mixed. Only since late winter of 2004 did it become overtly hostile.

Around that time the police began a continuous presence on Beelen Street. This included the stopping and questioning of any young people on the street. The police also began to spotlight the windows of both 2312 and 55 Beelen Street at night. Before and during the anti-war march and rally of March 20, 2004, the Pittsburgh police especially stepped up their attacks on the Beelen Street activists. This included raids on 55 Beelen on February 22 and on March 19 of 2004.

Grace Keller arrived at 55 Beelen around ten months ago after being homeless for a couple of years. A friend was doing work on the house in return for being able to stay there. Grace moved in. The plan was to have the deteriorated house rehabbed within a few years. Grace intended to get settled in Pittsburgh and begin work toward becoming a registered nurse. Work was progressing nicely but things began to come undone when the ownership of the property came into question. The Allegheny County real estate web page lists the property owner as Lisa Edwards. Grace and her friend had a signed tenant’s agreement with a certain Mr. Bethel. Because of this discrepancy the police have been able to charge anybody entering 55 Beelen St. with criminal trespass.

So Grace was removed from her home on May 7, 2004. Upon getting out of the Allegheny County jail and spending a few days on the street, Grace took a risk and moved back into 55 Beelen. Finally on May 24, the police entered the house and violently removed Grace once more. Now Grace is staying with some friends and the plans for fixing up 55 Beelen Street seem lost.

Some might wonder why Grace does not live in a "homeless shelter." Many find the living at traditional shelters to be too structured. The philosophy that motivates most shelters is that those who live in them are defective in some way. The cure involves rigorous discipline, job training and in many shelters required prayer. Grace frankly admits that she would most likely get kicked out of any homeless shelter she went to live in. Grace is also transgendered and is in transition from male to female. Homeless shelters, like jailhouses, can be places of ridicule, abasement and even danger for her. It is much better for her to live in a supportive environment, such as what those who have opted for living on Beelen Street have, or had.

There are a lot of issues involved with living in abandoned homes. Grace suggests that a major issue is liability. Grace and some friends would love to purchase the house at 55 Beelen and while the property itself might not cost too much, combining that cost with the required payment of back property taxes and long overdue utility charges make doing so cost prohibitive. Of course there is a stigma attached to those who live as Grace and friends do. Many look with distain on those who live in abandoned houses, especially if they look different or are branded as "punks." And so it is that the Pittsburgh police have taken on an almost weird obsession with a few people who are trying to live peacefully on Beelen Street. It is sort of like a nightmare.

Grace Keller has not given up on 55 Beelen Street. Anyone interested in following up on this story can contact her via the TMC at 412-361-3022 or email: info@thomasmertoncenter.org

 
Left, Grace Keller speaks at Pridefest about homelessness, police raids and trans issues. (Photo by Marie Skoczylas)
Right, The house at 55 Beelen Street. (Photo from the Allegheny County Real Estate Web Site)