Fence of Hope: How ARCHES is Redefining Safety and Security for Salem’s Most Vulnerable

The ARCHES Day Center in Salem is putting up a $90,000 fence—not because it’s chic, but because it’s necessary. Funded by the city’s Urban Renewal Agency, the barrier aims to stop the after-hours chaos that regularly erupts around the center: vandalism, loitering, and more. By morning, the damage is done, and the people seeking help inside—survivors of domestic violence and other traumas—deserve something better.

"We’re trying to prevent overnight use of our facilities by people who are not accessing our services," ARCHES leadership explained. It’s less about exclusion and more about giving the center’s vulnerable clients a sense of safety and security. The fence is a physical barrier, yes, but it’s also a symbol of refuge for those who need it most. People argue that a fence turns the place into a fortress, but the reality is, you can’t help people if the space isn’t secure. ARCHES is threading that needle carefully: balancing safety with compassion.

During the day, the center’s doors remain open to anyone needing shelter and support, but once those doors close, the fence becomes a line in the sand, keeping the chaos at bay. After all, sometimes protection means saying “no” after hours.

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