Caltrans Closing Homeless Camp Beside Freeway

Caltrans maintenance workers put a group of homeless people on notice Thursday that they must move out of a scrubby area next to the Riverside Freeway.

About 30 homeless people have been living amid trees and shrubs off the shoulder of the freeway near Lemon Street, a Caltrans spokesman said. Caltrans officials say the small community of lean-tos and tents close to the freeway may pose a danger to drivers.

Caltrans workers handed out flyers to the homeless and posted signs in the area Thursday advising trespassers to leave.

“We’ve had reports of people riding bicycles down the shoulder,” said Albert Miranda, spokesman for Caltrans. “There are sanitary and safety issues as well.”

Miranda said nearby residents have reported that dogs owned by the homeless people have tried to cross the freeway, and that fencing surrounding the area has been damaged.

California Highway Patrol officers will remove anyone who does not leave by Tuesday, Miranda said. CHP officers will escort trespassers out of the area, he said, but will not arrest or detain anyone unless they resist leaving peacefully.

Workers from the Orange County Animal Shelter will remove any animals left behind, Miranda said. Caltrans maintenance workers will raze trees and shrubs off the shoulder to clear the site after it is vacated.

The flyers also gave information about where the shanty residents could pick up any belongings of value left behind in the area and later confiscated by officers, Miranda said. The items will be taken to the Orange Maintenance Facility, at 691 Tustin Ave. in Orange.