SPPD: Taskforce to clear homeless encampment near 12th Street Bridge

December 30, 2005
Santa Paula Police Department

After the presence of homeless people caused environmental health as well as public safety concerns, a multi-agency taskforce will clear out a Santa Clara River encampment near the 12th Street Bridge and an effort is being made to relocate and rehabilitate riverbank dwellers.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAfter the presence of homeless people caused environmental health as well as public safety concerns, a multi-agency taskforce will clear out a Santa Clara River encampment near the 12th Street Bridge and an effort is being made to relocate and rehabilitate riverbank dwellers. It will be the second time in almost three years that the area below the 12th Street Bridge has been targeted to remove homeless persons camping in the area.“As we speak, we’re down there handing out notices” to those camping near the riverbank, SPPD Assistant Chief Mark Hanson said Thursday. “Then we’ll be coming back on January 10” with various social service agencies and to monitor compliance before eradicating the encampment on January 13.“Like we have in the past, we’re letting them know they’re trespassing” and are living in unsanitary conditions. “We’ll try to do whatever we can to help them, plus get them relocated.”Supervisor Kathy Long launched the homeless recovery and rehabilitation plan that includes the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, the County’s Human Services Agency-Homeless Services/Job & Career Center, Environmental Health and The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy is the owner of the riverbank property that is the scene of the encampment of about a dozen homeless persons.
The recovery plan includes the cleanup of the unsafe and unhealthy conditions at the encampment, providing relocation and rehabilitation assistance, and posting the area for trespassing violations. Supervisor Long initiated the homeless recovery and rehabilitation plan after she was contacted by City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz, who said the situation near the 12th Street Bridge warranted correction due to environmental health and public safety concerns for adjacent city residents and businesses.“We have tied a lot of those people who live in that area to crime. It comes and goes, the problem is cyclical,” noted Asst. Chief Hanson. “It started out as a law enforcement observation, and we knew we had to bring in all the agencies” for relocation and social services. “The bottom line is, all you have to do is drive across the 12th Street Bridge and there are people living in the thicket. There’s litter, human waste, fires, clutter… it’s a huge eyesore, plus the fact that people are trespassing,” as well as putting themselves at risk during the rainy season.The rehabilitation plan includes an assessment of health and shelter needs done by the various county agencies, an effort that will begin January 10. County transportation will be provided for individuals to meet with counselors from the Santa Clara Valley Job & Career Center to conduct an assessment.The January 13 deadline for the evacuation of the homeless will include the cleaning and securing of the property where possible and posting signage warning against trespassing.



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