Sheriff’s Hare Creek clean-up a success
FORT BRAGG » During December, the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office responded to and addressed multiple, ongoing trespass violations occurring on privately- owned land located within the Hare Creek drainage in Fort Bragg.
These properties total a little more than 150 acres, bordered by Hare Creek Beach on the west and by California Jackson State Demonstration Forest to the east. That land has a long history of non-permitted use by the homeless, mainly because it provides an out- of- sight location. The associated encampments and activity generated numerous health and safety concerns and conditions, said MCSO in a press release.
Accounting for the severity and long- term impacts these issues carried, the Sheriff's Office sought out the assistance and participation of other agencies and organizations to support the strategic and successful response that followed, which was aimed at providing a long- term solution to the trespass issues, addressing needs of the homeless, and restoration of the properties.
Aside from large accumulations of garbage, biohazards and fire risks, the location of these properties contributed to other criminal activity that went beyond illegal drug use and began to negatively impact neighbors and businesses.
The Sherif f ' s Of f ice would like to thank the Fort Bragg Police Department, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Mendocino County Code Enforcement, the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency Advocacy & Collaboration Team and the Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center for their participation and services provided during this project.
The Sherif f ' s Of f ice would also like to give special thanks to the Rotary Club of Fort Bragg, Fort Bragg Fire Department and Friends of the Hospitality House, the Mendocino Land Trust and Sovereign, for volunteering their time to collect and remove approximately 60 cubic yards of garbage from these properties on Dec. 21.
The Sheriff's Office also thanks the California Department of Transportation for furnishing trash collection equipment and for disposal of all the collected garbage.
“Their involvement and the collaborative approach and response taken was instrumental to improving the quality of life in our community,” said the press release.