CLEARLAKE > > On Thursday time ran out for homeless reportedly camped on the perimeter of the Ray’s Food Place location in Clearlake. The city had given earlier notice to vacate the area in 72 hours and people begin abandoning the camp that morning.
The order came as a result of a growing number of reports of unauthorized trespassing and encampments on the Ray’s Food Place property. The problem began shortly after the store’s closing in November 2016.
According to city manager Greg Folsom, the property owner sent out notifications of the unauthorized activity to the city. Folsom added that the encampments have brought on a significant health and safety, and litter problem to the area.
Officers from the Clearlake Police Department assist with city code enforcement in such cases.
Interim Police Chief Tim Celli said, “Code Enforcement and the Police Department are working in tandem with property owners to help clean up this area,” said interim Clearlake Police Chief Tim Celli in a statement issued Thursday afternoon. “Officers have been issuing warnings for several months to individuals who are illegally camping and trespassing on private property and have now begun issuing citations. Officers have also been providing information regarding services available throughout the county.”
The city has already warned on multiple occasions not to camp or trespass and began issuing citations. The city is “trying to give as much warning and notice as possible for people to relocate,” said Folsom.
Most living in the camp cooperated with the 72 hour limit, leaving the area with almost no one in sight by noon. One of the last individuals to leave, who wished to remain anonymous, said she did not know where to go. She added that no shelters are available to homeless in the city.
“Even though the trespassers do not have a legal right to be on private property without the owner’s consent, the city appreciates that the relocation must be done in a compassionate manner,” said Folsom. He pointed out that the city provided reasonable notice of relocation, adding that a plan will be developed for the handling of personal property left behind after camps are evacuated.
“Our goal is to get this area cleaned up from a health and safety perspective and reduce crime so that we can attract replacement businesses to the former Ray’s building and help bring in new jobs and revenue to our city.” Folsom said.
