Neighbors fed up with homeless encampment mess in their backyard, alley, driveway
FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KMPH) — A homeless encampment is once again growing in size in one neighborhood in California.
Neighbors in Central Fresno told KMPH they're fed up.
Virginia Contreras has lived in the same neighborhood for years and said she's frustrated with the homeless camps next to her home. She said they're now blocking her driveway and she doesn't even park her car in the garage anymore.
I have tons and tons of trash cans in the alley," Contreras said. “Even the trash guy -- he can't even go through the alley because there's so many of their belongings and trash.”
She said it's a never-ending cycle, as some homeless people leave and new ones come in.
At first, I was like, you know, poor people," she said. "They were living in the alley, but they're just taking advantage."
At one point, she said she allowed them to use her trash can, but they made a mess instead.
I'll tell them, too ... like, you guys can throw trash in here, but they do the opposite. They take out the trash and look and scrimmage for I don't know, cans, some food maybe," she said.
For her, the mess is one thing. Safety is another.
Some of them do use drugs, some of them sell drug (and) some of them have mental problems," she said.
The County of Fresno confirmed it has received multiple reports about the alley. It said deputies carry out sweeps, but the people and tents return shortly after.
It also provided the following statement to KMPH:
The county is actively engaged on this issue and continuing to work with our outreach team to offer services to the unhoused individuals in that area. Our Fresno County Sheriff's deputies will remind those individuals they cannot live in that area as that poses a danger to them due to cars and large waste vehicles that travel along those alleyways.
The County of Fresno spokesperson, Sonja Dosti, said she wants residents to know they are working to see if there is anything else they can do.
At this time, she said they will have more deputies patrolling the area.
She also said their homeless outreach team has gone out to provide services. But the homeless refuse.
If anyone is trespassing in the alleyways or homes, Dosti encourages people to call the Fresno County Sheriff's Office at 559-600-3111.
She said once sweeps happen again and more homeless people come in, give deputies and the County of Fresno a call.
That way, they could be aware and offer services to the homeless people arriving.
Right now, for two families, driveways are blocked off with homeless tents, trash, and belongings.
One family who did not want to speak on camera said they just bought the house in the neighborhood in November.
They said there was only one tent back there, but they are not pleased to see how many there are now.
