On Monday, the City of Antioch conducted a cleanup of a homeless encampment in a field along Highway 4.
The cleanup occurred in a vacant field between Highway 4 and Neroly near Laurel Road in the City of Antioch where Antioch Police, code enforcement, multiple tow trucks and a cleanup crew responded to remove homeless from the area–note, drone footage of this location can be observed below which was taken on April 3.
The cleanup also comes after a Sunday morning fire at one of the encampments.
According to one man who was displaced from the encampment, police towed his truck even though it was running.
Another man said he was volunteering to help the homeless, but his truck was stuck in the mud from all the rain so it ended up being towed off the property. In total, the male said approximently 24 homeless people were living on the property. He also admitted some of the vehicles had come over after the Wilbur Cleanup last month. The same man also took issue with Antioch claiming they had an 82% success rate with the homeless hotel, he called it false and not working.
Antioch Police would not verify his statements at the scene.
As of 1:20 pm Monday, the City of Antioch nor the Antioch Police Department have answered any questions on the cleanup nor would they let anyone inside the cleanup area to observe–including allowing assistance to help the homeless remove their belongings. Its not known when notice was given to those on the property to vacate or how many people have been impacted, total number of vehicles towed or if any services have been offered or alternative shelter options of where they could go.
One gentlemen, who is a business owner, parks his big rig at the end of Slatten Ranch Road and was given a notice to vacate, however, he claims he was given no timeline or where else he should park his big rig–knowing he could not park it at his house. He was seeking clarification, but Antioch Police on scene told him he had to contact the watch commander.
Tuesday UPDATE — from City of Antioch
The City of Antioch, along with our Contra Costa County partners, conducted an abatement operation that recovered stolen property and more than a dozen vehicles. The operation also allowed us to offer services to community members in a homeless encampment.
The encampment in the Lindsey Detention Basin has continued to grow over the past few months. In that time, officers recovered three stolen vehicles and located a stolen ATM.
On April 3rd, Antioch officers and the Angelo Quinto Community Response Team (“Care Team”) visited the area and met with nearly a dozen people at the encampment. Over the next few days, officers and the Care Team continued to check in and offer services.
During the operation, Code Enforcement, the Care Team, Public Works, and the County’s C.O.R.E. Outreach team worked together to conduct the abatement. 18 vehicles with expired vehicle registrations were towed. Officers located two striped motorcycles and an industrial floor sweeper, all suspected of being stolen.
Through this multi-faceted approach, we were able to clear the area of trash, debris, and abandoned vehicles. We want to thank our community partners for their support in this effort.
Kwame P. Reed
Acting City Manager/
Economic Development Director
Update #2: County Health
According to Contra Costa Health through Supervisor Diane Burgis Office, the County CORE team learned about the abatement on 4/4. CORE went out on 4/6 and engaged with around 15 residents. All were offered services and none declined (but an offering of services doesn’t necessarily mean a shelter bed as needed services vary).
Drone Video Posted April 3, 2024
March 22: Over 100 Evicted from Antioch Homeless Encampment
Wilbur Avenue has been an eyesore for many as it had become a makeshift homeless encampment area filled with RV’s, broken down vehicles, tires, trash, and other items. Residents for months have called for the camp to be removed, while others called for more services to be made available.
City of Antioch acting City Manager Kwame Reed added that there were over 70 vehicles parked and 48 were able to leave the premises on their own while 22 had to be towed. None of the vehicles were reported stolen.
“The 22 that were towed were done with the utmost consideration, safeguarding against any infringement of personal rights and confirming that no vehicles were previously reported stolen,” explained Reed.
This action, while significant, is just a part of our ongoing commitment to revitalizing Antioch, and we welcome the community’s involvement and feedback as we move forward together.
The cost of the March 21 cleanup or number of dump loads still has not been provided by the City of Antioch.
Related
- Feb 16 – Hoover and Patterson Introduce “Beyond Housing” Measure to Address Homelessness
- Feb 8 – City of Concord Publishes Homeless Strategic Plan
- Feb 6 – Bill Seeks to Compassionately Clear Homeless Encampments
- Feb 4 – Antioch Touts 82% Success Rate With Homeless Program
- Jan 25 – San Mateo County Aims to Push Homeless in Illegal Encampments into Services
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