Homeless Camps Cleaned Up Near Petaluma River, Hwy 101

PETALUMA - Eight large-scale homeless camps - near the Petaluma River and Highway 101 - were cleaned by volunteers on Monday, days after inhabitants were told to leave.

The Petaluma Police Department organized a large scale abatement of illegal encampment and disposal sites Monday morning with volunteers from the Mary Isaak Center Shelter and volunteers provided by Santa Rosa Catholic Charities.

Police say eight large homeless camps were abated from vacant property on Hopper Street in Petaluma.

A majority of the encampments were near the banks of the Petaluma River and near the state Highway 101 over-crossing at the Petaluma River.

According to the police department, all of the camps had been visited in the days prior to the sweep and posted with instructions to vacate.

Only one camp was found to be occupied with one homeless subject, police say.

In total, over 50 yards of wood debris, garbage and waste were removed from the illegal encampments.

Petaluma police are concerned many of the illegal campsites often have human waste, refuse, debris, furniture, contraband and hazardous materials.

Many of the camps are located along the banks of Petaluma waterways, they say, posing a significant threat to public health, public safety, and the environment.

In January, 2016, Petaluma Police appointed Officer Ryan DeBaeke as the department’s full time Homeless Outreach Services Team Officer (HOST).

The Petaluma Police Department encourages residents to report illegal encampments to HOST Officers Ryan DeBaeke or Zilverio Rivera at (707) 778-4455.

-images via Petaluma police