OCEANSIDE — Personnel from the Oceanside Police Department and the city’s Public Works Department have completed a multiday operation to clear encampments where people have been living along the San Luis Rey Riverbed.
Police officials said they are completing the cleanup effort in response to concerns about safety and quality of life in the area. Around 20 encampments were identified in the riverbed.
According to OPD, all individuals living in the encampment received advance abatement notices last week, instructing them to vacate the area. The department’s Homeless Outreach Team also offered services, including shelter and support resources, to around 15 people living in the encampment, OPD said.
“Shelter options are currently operating on a waitlist due to the Navigation Center being at capacity. At this time, none of the individuals chose to accept services; however, information on how to access available resources was provided to them,” said OPD spokesperson Gina Avalos.
The department said they worked with waste management and a contracted city cleanup crew to remove a significant amount of debris from the area.
Officials anticipated that the total amount of trash removed would fill about six 40-yard bins.
