As the Occupy movement confronts concerns from police and politicians about violence and public health issues in encampments across the country, some members seem to be preparing to move their cause forward - even if it means leaving the parks and public spaces they've called home for months.

The movement is believed to be at a crucial stage right now. Colder weather is setting in. The willingness of public officials to accommodate the movement is at odds with their desire to protect public health and safety. And concerns about violence at the gatherings are reaching new levels.

Police in riot gear moved into the Occupy Oakland encampment early Monday, tearing down tents and arresting some protesters, the latest effort by city officials across the country to control a movement that some leaders say has become a public safety and health threat. Oakland officials had warned protesters to move out of Frank Ogawa Plaza over the weekend. Before dawn Monday, police surrounded the plaza and lined up in the streets where protesters had gathered. The eviction notices came after a "frequent resident" of the camp allegedly shot and killed another man.

An uptick in violence at the gatherings, including some deaths and allegations of vandalism, has led officials to try to control the movements as organizers try to battle what they call fringe violent groups at the protests.

Police break down Occupy Oakland camp

In Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter said Sunday that what started as a peaceful protest 39 days ago has given way to increasing public safety concerns.

"Occupy Philly has changed," he said. "We're seeing serious health and safety issues playing out on an almost daily basis. ... The people of Occupy Philly have also changed, and their intentions have changed. And all of this is not good for Philadelphia."

The health concerns stem from allegations that unsanitary conditions at the camps - resulting from public urination and crowding - present a danger to the public There was also concern about a strain of tuberculosis found near the protests in Atlanta, but a movement leader said that tests showed no disease among Occupy Atlanta members, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

So how are some members of the Occupy movement trying to keep their message moving forward and staying positive amid all of these concerns?

It appears that ahead of winter, they're preparing to encourage members to take the movement into their own neighborhoods and spread the message in a more meaningful, and perhaps personal, way.

They're calling it Occupy Your Block.

"The strength of our movement rests on our ability to engage one another. The Occupy movement is more than a physical occupation. This movement is in each one of us; in our will and determination," a statement on OccupyYourBlock.org states. "It is in our local community organizations, religious groups, schools, and neighborhoods. To bring attention to this, Occupy Wall Street is calling for the winter months to be a time of teach-ins, open forums, potluck meetings, discussion groups, local general assembly meetings and community building projects. ... This is how our movement builds."

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