ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY)-- A Chemung County Legislator held a town hall meeting to discuss concerns residents have. The top concern was public safety.

However, there was something else that came up that is a concern for many residents. That issue is the homeless population in the city.

"When they chased everyone from underneath the bridge downtown and there have been some other issues with the homeless they tried to relocate. One of the things they do is wander around the city looking they have a tendency to go down the alley by my house," Adam Wheeler said.

He's a resident in Elmira and says it's gotten so bad they've invaded his backyard.

He voiced his concern along with other residents about the homeless problem at last night's town hall. He says as the days get colder, homeless individuals need a roof over their heads.

The City recently cleared up the trash and encampments underneath the Clemens Center Parkway Bridge and moved many into shelters and tried matching them up with community outreach organizations. However, they've moved right back under the bridge and some have even set up shop in Wheeler's backyard.

"I get home from work and I see some people in the backyard you know kind of looking around. You know they are just trying to relocate. It's just something I wanted to know if they are going to do something about before it gets cold," Wheeler said.

Wheeler says he feels bad and doesn't want to be that guy that calls the cops on them for trespassing. He understands many are just in a bad spot. It's more of an inconvenience and showed me where he found them in his backyard. He's had to lay down some rules he says and has spoken to them about no longer crashing on his property.

Police Chief Alvernaz took us under the bridge after the city cleaned it up a few weeks ago, but now they are back to square one. He says if they are going to stay under the bridge the city would just like them to keep it clean.

Something he has personally spoken to them about. I also met up with the Mayor of the City of Elmira to find out what the city is doing to resolve this issue. 

"The county the city we try to get them help through Catholic Charities they refuse the help that they need it's a difficult situation for us," Daniel Mandell said.

The City has put forth some new efforts to provide additional services to help combat the homeless issue. However, most of the people who moved back refused the help offered to them. 

WENY News is digging deeper and will bring you the details on that in our next story on a closer look at homelessness in Elmira.