LEONARDTOWN, Md. – On November 19, 2024, at approximately 3:27 PM, law enforcement responded to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown, Maryland, following reports of a trespassing individual. The suspect, identified as 63-year-old Jay Robert Fulton, was found on hospital property despite an active “Notice Not to Trespass” issued on May 14, 2023. Hospital security informed officers that Fulton refused to leave, stating he had no place to go. After multiple attempts to persuade him to vacate the premises failed, Fulton was arrested and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, pending a bond review with the District Court.
This incident brings into focus the broader factors contributing to homelessness in Southern Maryland, where gaps in housing and wage disparities have left many individuals with few options. Recent data from the Local Homeless Coalition and the Maryland Balance of State Continuum of Care highlights the pressing need for action. According to the 2023 Point-in-Time Homeless Survey, conducted last year, in Southern Maryland:
- 129 individuals were identified as unsheltered.
- 178 were in emergency shelters.
- 18 were in transitional housing.
These figures only scratch the surface of the true scale of homelessness in the region. Gaps in available services, compounded by wage and housing disparities, are significant contributing factors. In Southern Maryland:
- 42% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on rent.
- 20% of renters spend more than 50% of their income on rent.
These statistics stem from a statewide shortage of 96,000 affordable housing units, with renters needing an hourly wage of $35.35 to afford a two-bedroom rental—equivalent to 2.7 full-time jobs at the current minimum wage.
For individuals like Fulton, the enforcement of trespassing laws underscores the legal and societal challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. Notices like the one issued to Fulton serve as preventative tools for property owners and law enforcement. However, without adequate shelter options, those without permanent residences are left with few alternatives, often leading to repeated encounters with law enforcement.
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We have too many homes for wealthy people here, as well as too many restaurants and shopping centers. Where are all the homeless shelters? We need more. Businesses and housing, especially in St. Mary’s County, cater to those that work on the Base and make big incomes. They create homelessness by making basic needs unaffordable for many, and then act shocked when there are homeless people in shopping centers begging for money. What else are they supposed to do? There’s no help for them. The programs that help the poor have been cut out or greatly reduced. SMH.
I would have done the same thing. At least I have 3 meals day, shower and a cot to sleep on.
You are right about that.
How good is the US Navy base adding to this?
To get a good time being employed there
you have to know someone who can pick
your welcome,
If you don’t have connections from friends
or maybe a family ,
It’s the good ol guys that rule, and
MedStar a monopoly in our healthcare.
Our medical business, system is why out of
Price!! This country is suffering from over processing and over priced costs!
Enough,,, MedStar is nothing more than a
money for them.
I hate our Medical system,, It is sick in our
country,,
They have basically priced them self out
of our economy and they are the worst!
I would love to see this topic air our local
news,
Everybody that I talk to in my relationship
of friend feel same.
Enough!
It is definitely disgusting what we pay,
Something has to change.
MedStar is why out and over priced and
the time has been to long,
My wife died there and I will never forget
how I came to pay the medical bills,
But I found later after talking to my lawyer about it,
Oh my gosh,,, They would not return my money,,,
I can tell everyone so much, There is a factual that people need hear about,,
and it’s about sick our self is being robbed.