Man found dead on sidewalk near Harrison encampment
Authorities found "no apparent signs of foul play."
A man in his 70s was found deceased on the sidewalk near a Berkeley homeless camp Wednesday night, authorities report.
The man was reported to be unresponsive in a sleeping bag or blankets at about 8:20 p.m., Berkeley police said in response to a Scanner inquiry.
Arriving paramedics quickly declared the man deceased in the 900 block of Harrison Street west of Ninth Street.
Authorities found "no apparent signs of foul play."
As of Thursday, the man's name had not been released.
The Scanner has asked the coroner's office for details.
Emilie Raguso
The city has been working to close encampments in the Harrison Street Corridor since last year, but an ongoing lawsuit brought by Berkeley Homeless Union has delayed much action.
The block where the man's body was found is part of what the city has declared a "no-lodging area" — from the railroad tracks to San Pablo Avenue, and from Gilman Street up to Codornices Creek — due to safety concerns including fires and public health issues.
