Part 1: Background

Late in June, 2025 Upper Monroe neighbors noticed a small display placed at the base of the Upper Monroe Neighborhood sign on the corner of Monroe Avenue and Field Street where that intersection wraps around to Engel Place. The display included a collection of multi-colored artificial flowers, pinwheels, candles, a painted bicycle wheel and other elements. A box of sidewalk chalk was included, presumably to invite messages. It was all neatly arranged suggesting a respectful appreciation of someone special. The name "Luke" had been printed on the sidewalk. It was clear the display was a memorial to him.

UMNA posted an article in the July 2nd edition of the UMNA e-newsletter asking anyone with knowledge about the memorial to share what they knew. https://www.uppermonroe.com/umna_news/e-news-july-2-2025

In addition, UMNA reps reached out to area contacts for more information. Within a couple of days they had a few clues and a general idea of what happened. Eventually a neighbor on Luzerne Street noticed a first person description of the events that prompted the memorial on social media.

By early the flowing week the memorial had grown quite dramatically.

On July 8th an UMNA member captured images of the messages so that if rain washed them away there would be a record.

It was clear from both the quantity and content of the messages that Luke had touched those around him in myriad ways. Stories flowed in about Luke's very complicated life from business owners, artists, friends and neighbors. The particulars of Luke's story was, of course, unique but the trajectory of his life followed a pattern neighbors see and experience with some regularity - usually with the sort of distance that can tend to de-humanize the individuals who are impoverished or unhoused, suffering from mental illness and/or drug addiction.

Taken from the Gospel of Luke - 6:37

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

More about Luke's story will be shared soon

UMNA contacted a talented freelance journalist with strong connections to Monroe Avenue, Madeline Lathrop, to develop a deeper, more nuanced consideration of Luke's life so that our community can better understand him, what happened to him and what's happening to others who are suffering on or near our "main street", Monroe Avenue.

It turns out Madeline was already acquainted with Luke and knew what happened to him when she was approached by UMNA. Like so many others, she was touched. Madeline immediately agreed to help us better understand Luke and what led up to his tragic end.

Overdose deaths in 2023 as reported by New York State.

The information below was complied by Madeline Lathrop with support from others

While these listings are not comprehensive they will provide a starting place for someone in need.