Email Print   Text Size
Homeless Camp Cleared in Visalia

Posted:

Updated:

Visalia - Tulare County Sheriff's deputies have cleared out a homeless encampment along the St. John's River in Visalia, a place where as many as 200 people were living at one time.

“Basically it was get up or get out,” said Stephen Wallace who has been evicted from this homeless community.

“Angry, upset, hurt.  What am I going to do?  This was like my home, now I don't have a home,” said Wallace.

Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Tulare County deputies began cleaning up and escorting dozens of people off the property.

“It is private property, people need to understand they can't be on private property without the owners permission,” said Sgt. Chris Douglass.

Deputies say land owners complained about trespassers.

They gave the homeless community several weeks notice that today would be the deadline to get their stuff out.

A representative from the Fresno ACLU office was on hand. The city of Fresno lost a multi-million dollar lawsuit after they tore down a homeless camp and threw away belongings - a lesson Tulare County is taking seriously.

“We talked to a lieutenant who described the process they've gone through of photographing people and their property, giving receipts to people ahead of time,” said Bill Simon, a representative of the ACLU office in Fresno.

Remaining property is being stored at sheriff's headquarters for people to claim.

In the meantime, local shelters hope the homeless come to them.

Deputies say they will be patrolling the St. John's river area, to make sure no one sets up camp there again.

Those who try will be cited for trespassing.

 

Local News  more>> 
Deadly Car Crash in Sanger
A passenger is dead, while four people are in the hospital Monday night, after a car crash in Sanger.

It happened on Goodfellow Avenue and Channel Road.

World Ag Expo Set to Kick Off Tuesday
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to hit the South Valley Tuesday for the 43rd annual World Ag Expo in Tulare.
Fresno City Professor Accused Of Teaching Anti-Gay Bias
A professor at Fresno City Colleges is facing some strong allegations. The ACLU is accusing Dr. Bradley Lopez of teaching "highly discriminatory and religious-based views" in his science class.
Fresno Mayor To Announce New City Manager
Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin will announce the newest member of her team on Tuesday. The Mayor will hold a press conference at City Hall to announce the new City Manager.
Downtown Fresno Post Office and School District Building Evacuated
The Fresno Unified School District Headquarters and Post Office was evacuated Monday morning, after employees complained of a strange smell which was making them sick.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 WorldNow and KMPH. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.