Berkeley clears Harrison Street homeless camp, citing hazards
The closure follows a lengthy legal battle over the rights of disabled campers.
Berkeley is clearing its last large homeless camp Tuesday, citing a fire hazard, public nuisance and the need for rodent abatement.
The city announced the closure Friday and said tent campers in the Harrison Street corridor had to clear out by Tuesday.
Vehicle dwellers and a handful of disabled campers protected by court orders were allowed to stay.
Tuesday morning, local residents were able to watch the cleanup online via KTVU helicopter footage.
One person described heavy equipment and dump trucks assisting with the cleanup.
Send tips and photos to The Scanner.
In a brief statement Tuesday afternoon, the city confirmed only that staff were on site to close the camp.
There were no arrests, but police were preparing a case for the DA's office against two people who failed to comply with orders to keep their distance, BPD said.
According to the city's most recent public notice, leptospirosis remains "present in this area." Rodent abatement is necessary "to prevent further spread," officials said.
Due to the leptospirosis risk, city workers were told not to sort through belongings. The city provided storage containers for items not deemed hazardous or contaminated.
Berkeley said it would replace tents, sleeping bags and clothing it had to discard, and provide vouchers if replacements ran out.
The notice also acknowledged Berkeley's "limited number of shelter beds" and asked residents to call outreach workers, the county's 211 line and local housing resource centers for help.
The Harrison Street encampment has been the focus of a lengthy legal battle with advocates over Berkeley's plan to clear the area. Local business owners have filed their own lawsuit.
The city has cited worsening conditions, including rats, leptospirosis, fires and sanitation problems, while advocates have challenged whether Berkeley has sufficiently accommodated disabled residents.
Meanwhile, police and fire activity at the camp has continued, with at least two violent incidents reported over the weekend and a debris fire Tuesday morning near University Village in Albany, according to public records.
The Scanner has requested details about Tuesday's operation from the city and Berkeley Homeless Union. This story will be updated if they are provided.
