A Fresno homeless advocate has been sent a letter from Homeland Security, informing him that his attempts to help the homeless have been "brought to the attention of the Police Department's Terrorism Liaison Officers." The unwanted attention of the Homeland Security anti-terrorism group followed a City of Fresno "clean up" of a homeless encampment on the Mariposa Mall in downtown Fresno.

Several homeless advocates monitored the "clean up" and removal of homeless people's property on the morning of April 22, 2009 by City Sanitation Workers. "Clean ups" at the Mariposa Mall site, just west of Fresno City Hall, are conducted about once a month. City Sanitation puts up signs announcing the date of the clean up, most of the homeless people move out shortly before they arrive, and move back later in the day.

Phil Connelly, one of the homeless advocates, left the Mariposa Mall “clean up” and went to the City of Fresno Corporate Yard (2101 G street) in an attempt to see where the confiscated property was taken. It has been city policy to store property at that location for 90 days, or until it is reclaimed. A few days after his visit to the City of Fresno Corporate Yard, Connelly was contacted by Sgt. Ronald Grimm, Homeland Security Coordinator for the Fresno Police Department.

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