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Drug Bust at Fresno Homeless Encampment

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Among the rows of shopping carts in front of Fresno’s Poverello House... police come across a suspicious backpack.

In it...a stash of drugs, including about an ounce of methamphetamine, several ounces of marijuana, a scale for measuring the drugs, and plastic baggies for packaging.

Police took in two men.

One they say...caught with a knife and alcohol.

“It's become a magnet for criminal activity of all sorts. From prostitution to drug use to drug sales," said Fresno Police chief Jerry Dyer. 

This summer, after a series of stabbings, shootings, and a murder…officers moved in, sweeping the streets of downtown.

It was another attempt at getting rid of the crime-ridden homeless encampment, before the city stepped in.

“We've had everything from drug sales, prostitution, the last two fires...one started by a stove, another a resident at the encampment who's mad at his neighbor,” said City Manager Bruce Rudd.

Last month the city brought in the bulldozers, beginning a month long process of clearing out a few encampments encompassing a two block radius near Santa Clara and E Streets.

“You know there's gonna be a lot of people out here homeless so I hope they get us a place to stay,” said Nadia Lowe who lived in a homeless encampment.

The housing authority is helping many homeless find food shelter and work.

But many more say they will set up camp again, despite law enforcement.

 


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