PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A brief reprieve has been granted Friday to an encampment in the woods near a Port Arthur Walmart.
The group of unhoused people living in the encampment near the Walmart on Twin City Highway in Port Arthur had faced a Friday deadline to move out.
Police had previously threatened them with possible arrest if they did not leave by Friday, according to Pastor Keith Richard of New World Harvest Church.
The encampment is located on a private property between 46th Street and Highway 73 near the Twin City Highway Walmart and Bob Hope School.
Port Arthur City Manager Ron Burton and Assistant City Manager Pam Langford and Police Chief Tim Duriso worked with the property owner to extend the deadline to Tuesday.
New World Harvest Church has been serving the people who live there for nearly five years.
The property owner wants to sell the land, city leaders told 12News previously.
"It would be great if we had some steps on the other end of the process to help them get the services that they need as far as in Port Arthur, there's just no resources for them unfortunately," Port Arthur City Councilwoman Doneane Beckcom said.
Police have received multiple reports that people living there were speaking to students at Bob Hope through the fence and impeding traffic near Walmart's entrance according to Beckcom.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.