CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- A homeless encampment is forming at Market Street Park after closing hours were lifted. It comes after a complaint of a police officer allegedly kicking two homeless people to wake them up after hours.

City Manager Sam Sanders issued a directive lifting the closing time after hearing the allegations of an incident involving a Charlottesville police officer and two homeless community members at Monday's city council meeting.

Redelli Banks, a homeless woman, says the police have been targeting the homeless.

"They only allow us to be in the tents from six in the morning 'til eleven at night. We don't need to be in the park during the daytime. We need somewhere to stay at nighttime," said Banks.

Banks says her friends just want to be left alone.

"If you see us out here, we aren't trashing the park, we are trying to keep the park neat. We're not harming nobody," she said.

The city is calling the rise in homelessness a "community crisis." In a statement, Sanders said, "I want the city to be a catalyst for change in addressing housing insecurity and homelessness, which is why I am assembling my team to build a long-term strategy."

"I wouldn't care if they say we are going to allow maybe 10 tents or maybe six tents. It doesn't matter. We will respect that more than them bringing their bullies in, which is the police department, to harass the homeless," said Banks.

Banks and her friends appreciate the city keeping the park open.

"A lot of the homeless people are happy now. I hope it stays this way. So we have our fingers crossed," she said.

The allegations surrounding the city officer and the two homeless people are under administrative investigation.