A FORUM FOR COMMUNITY ISSUES : Getting Answers : Encampments by Freeways: ‘Frightening’

Caltrans’ District 7 is responsible for maintaining 597 miles of freeways, 567 miles of highways and some 1,500 bridges in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Our maintenance force of 900 men and women fills potholes, attends to landscaping, paints out graffiti, repairs guard rails and more. We are assisted in litter pickup and graffiti removal by court referrals and participants in our “Adopt-a-Highway” program.

Occasionally the homeless seek shelter beneath our bridges and behind the cover of landscaping, despite the presence of fences and signs designed to discourage trespassing.

The conditions in these areas are not suitable for habitation. Recently, one group of people were found to be using reclaimed water for drinking and bathing. In another instance, a brush fire was touched off by an illegal campfire. Even more distressing, several homeless people crossing the freeway have been struck and killed by vehicles.

We instruct Caltrans maintenance workers who encounter the homeless to direct them to seek a safer place to stay, such as a shelter. Where appropriate, we will provide them with social-service referrals. Unfortunately, some of the homeless leave only to return later.

Motorists or residents who are aware of homeless living alongside a freeway or highway, or who want to report a litter or graffiti problem, can contact our Public Information Office at (213) 897-3656, or call our after-hours litter/graffiti hot line at (213) 897-0380.

JERRY B. BAXTER, Caltrans District 7 director