Fights at a homeless encampment near the park and ride in Tisbury earlier this month have led the town to begin enforcing bylaws that prohibit camping.

The manager of the Vineyard’s only homeless shelter has been going to the Island town governments in recent weeks in the hope that they will join Harbor Homes to start a committee or task force aimed at helping the growing homeless population.

Harbor Homes opened its annual winter shelter this month and already a dozen people, several of whom are first time visitors, have checked in for at least one overnight stay.

Brian Morris, a trained recovery coach and the former access coordinator at Island Health Care, will lead the Island's homelessness prevention nonprofit.

A public outcry in support of the Island’s homeless community followed the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)’s decision to clear three homeless encampments in the state forest last week.

State contractors entered the state forest this week and cleared three homeless encampments, razing tents and leaving several Islanders without their possessions.