KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Homeless Camp Cleared in Visalia

Homeless Camp Cleared in Visalia

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.