Residents near the camp, between Quarry Road and Leigh Avenue, have complained for years to the county Sheriff's Department. Soon after our column appeared, deputies told the squatters to move on and promised to return to make sure they were gone.
THE SITE: Near Quarry Road in Spring Valley
|
Most of the homeless in the camp, which deputies call “Bamboo City,” were found to have drug convictions, and one was a registered sex offender.
Efforts to shut down the camp fell apart, apparently for fear that a verbal warning wasn't enough. Sheriff's officials, citing a court ruling out of Fresno, wanted a written warning.
They also said they wanted to be sure the county didn't have an easement on the private properties where squatters have built elaborate makeshift homes. That would affect whether the county or the property owners are responsible for the cleanup. Sheriff's Cmdr. Ed Prendergast said clearing the site quickly will be important.
Prendergast said a written warning has been vetted by lawyers and is almost ready. Once it is done and other county departments say they are ready to proceed, deputies will post the warning, hand-deliver copies to squatters they encounter and even videotape the exchanges, Prendergast said.
The county has determined that it doesn't have an easement on the properties. Pam Elias, chief of the county's Code Enforcement Division, said the property owners will be responsible for the cleanup and will need to make sure it stays that way. If they don't clean up, the county will do it and recoup costs by placing liens on the properties, Elias said.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Cmdr. Ed Prendergast, who can be reached at (858) 974-2295 or ed.prendergast@sdsheriff.org.
STILL WAITING I: A large homeless encampment near the Spring Valley Swap Meet that we first wrote about in early June is still going strong.
STILL WAITING II: We don't know yet if the city of San Diego will do anything to improve traffic safety at the oddly configured intersection of Greene, Froude and Seaside streets in Ocean Beach. A study of the area continues.
Some residents want a traffic roundabout. It appears more likely that the city will add two stop signs to the two already there.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Deborah Van Wanseele, San Diego's deputy director for transportation engineering operations, who can be reached at (619) 533-3126 or dvanwanseele@sandiego.gov.
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem government hasn't fixed despite your complaints? Just Fix It might be able to help.
Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, or call (800) 820-8714.
