But recently it has harbored a hardened group of 30 to 40 men who are no strangers to violence and lawlessness. Some men have hidden in the woods after committing burglaries, assaults and robberies, Mullens says. Although Mullens has gone into the greenbelt alone, he prefers to have a partner or two. It can be spooky. At least four times a year, city workers clean up the garbage and unsanitary mess.
Police typically post notices several days in advance warning the men to clear out.
And some do. Others hike up the hill and camp in people's backyards, says Mullens. Like many neighborhoods, Beacon Hill also has its share of troubled apartment complexes. Mullens says the Lago Vista Apartments on 14th Avenue South have been a problem, although it seems to be getting better. Past renters have included crack cocaine dealers, prostitutes and even a couple of bank robbers, police say.