Transients Warned Against Camping in Riverbeds
A team of 20 police officers and firefighters visited homeless encampments along the Ventura and Santa Clara rivers Wednesday to hand out literature about shelters and warn campers to clear out by the end of the year.
The operation, conducted at least once a year during the colder months, also allowed officers to distribute pamphlets about social service agencies and talk with transients about the dangers of flooding and fires.
“They told them that starting in January they will be coming down and making arrests, because it is illegal to be camping down there,” said Ventura Police Lt. Doug Auldridge.
The crime is a misdemeanor punishable by jail time or fines up to $1,000. No one was arrested Wednesday, the lieutenant said.
Transients were also informed about a warming shelter available in Oxnard this winter. Transients can reach the shelter by using a free bus that comes to Ventura.
Wednesday’s operation involved Ventura police officers and firefighters, as well as several mounted units from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and employees from the city’s public works department.
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