By Mike Hazlip—
On Saturday, a collaborative effort between residents of a condominium association and Citrus Heights police led to an initial four-hour cleanup of a homeless camp on private property, located between the condos and Interstate 80.
Prior story: Residents seek to clean up homeless camp behind Citrus Heights condos
Condominium association Board President Jason Clary told The Sentinel in an interview at the location Saturday that one man voluntary moved on after he signed a “no trespassing” notice. Clary said police delivered notice to the individual, who then left without incident. Police gave the man about 20 minutes to collect any belongings before vacating the area, Clary said.
Because homeless camp abatement can involve hazardous waste, the association hired an outside company to dispose of the debris left behind at the site, Clary said. Work began Saturday, and about half of the debris had been cleared after a four hour clean up effort. It could take several more days before the entire site is cleared of debris, he said.
One man was known to be living in the camp and Clary said police told him they saw two more individuals while serving the notice, but it is not known if those individuals were living at the site.
Clary estimated the man to be in his 60s or 70s and said he had two prior felony convictions.
Citrus Heights Police Lt. Chad Morris told The Sentinel in an email Saturday officers were at the location in the morning to assist with serving trespassing notices.
“Those that were on scene camping and who failed to voluntarily comply were issued trespass notices on behalf of the property owners,” Morris said. “We were happy to see all the great progress being made.”
Condominium association board member Greg Dunn told The Sentinel in a prior story published Feb. 24 that there had been illegal activity at the property, as well as reports of homeless individuals using the condominium’s spa for bathing. Clary could not confirm if the illegal activity was related to the homeless camp.
The board president said he sympathizes with the plight of those living without permanent housing, but said private property between a condominium complex and a freeway is not the right place to camp. He said the board has a responsibility to help the residents feel safe.
“I wish there was an easy answer,” he said. “Homeless people are still people and they need a place to go, but when some of them commit crimes, you can’t have them here.”
