Drugs, Needles, Debris Cleared From Petaluma River Homeless Encampment: Police

PETALUMA, CA — Forty yards of debris and waste — "numerous hypodermic needles" and hidden illegal drugs among it — were cleared out Thursday from a Petaluma homeless encampment, police said. It took a workforce of 27 people four hours to conduct what police described as a large-scale abatement of the encampment in the 1800 block of Petaluma Boulevard North, on the west bank of the Petaluma River.

Representatives from the Sonoma County Water Agency, The Conservation Corps and volunteers from the Mary Isaak Center worked collaboratively with the Petaluma Police Department's Homeless Outreach Services — HOST — officers to take down and remove a 10-foot by 10-foot structure, Petaluma police said in a news release.

Local business, Tight Access Excavation, assisted by making it easier to access to the site, police said.

Outreach service workers from the Mary Isaak Center were on scene to serve as liaisons for the occupants of the camp; however, none were there at the time of the abatement, police said, adding that in the days leading up to the abatement operation, notices were posted and information about resources was offered to occupants.

The police department's HOST team is funded by a $500,000 grant from CalRecycle, according to the news release. The money is used to fund a full-time officer for two years, and to abate and dispose of illegal encampments.

In July 2016, the police department added an additional full-time HOST officer to the team in an effort to rid the city of these illegal campsites and to provide the homeless population with resources to assist them with getting back on their feet.

Residents are encouraged to report such encampments to HOST Officers Ryan DeBaeke and Zilverio Rivera at 707-778-4455 or by email at Rdebaeke@ci.petaluma.ca.us or Zrivera@ci.petaluma.ca.us.

"Many of the illegal campsites often have human waste, refuse, debris, furniture, contraband and hazardous materials," police said. "Many of the camps are located along the banks of Petaluma waterways. These camps pose a significant threat to public health, public safety and the environment."

SEE ALSO: Police Clear Out 5 Homeless Encampments Along Petaluma River

Photos courtesy Petaluma Police Department