Homeless Encampment Eviction Takes Place near West and Ashlan in Fresno

A small group of homeless people, living on a canal bank near West and Ashlan avenue in Fresno, had their property taken today. Several dogs were also removed by the SPCA.

When I arrived at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 the operation was already well under way. Most of the structures had been pulled out of the protective shrubbery on the southwest side of the canal bank. A bulldozer was busy picking up homeless peoples property and putting in a dump truck.

I asked Murray, who said he was a supervisor for the Fresno Irrigation District, if they were saving any of the property. He said they had not found anything of value yet, but I think my question got him thinking about the implications of their actions. Murray said that they had put notices up informing the homeless people that they were going to “clean up.” I asked for a copy of the notice and he said he didn’t have one.

I walked away for a moment to take some photos and when I came back the driver of the machine with the large claw (see photo above) said “we don’t have time for this shit. Call the police.”

Someone (probably Murray) must have convinced the crew that they better make a show for the press, because then they started going through the shopping carts and putting things aside, which they said they were going to save.

The Fresno Irrigation District frequently destroys homeless encampments. It is rare when someone photographs them in the act. I suspect that it is unheard of that someone would follow up and see if they actually did store any property. Does anyone reading this think I should follow up?

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Mike Rhodes is the editor of the Community Alliance newspaper. He can be reached by email at editor [at] fresnoalliance.com .