Berkeley officials have begun clearing a large homeless encampment at 8th and Harrison streets after the area was declared a fire hazard and public nuisance, with the city also citing a deadly leptospirosis outbreak linked to rats as one of the reasons the site now needs to be dismantled and cleaned.
KTVU FOX 2 reporter Amanda Quintana was at the encampment as police moved in, taped off parts of the area and began notifying residents that tents, structures and other property had to be removed, while city crews later brought in heavy equipment to begin clearing what had become a sprawling site across multiple blocks.
The operation follows a long legal fight over the encampment and comes with special requirements for some disabled residents, even as people living there and homeless advocates say many still have nowhere clear to go once the tents and belongings are removed.
Police Move In After Notices Are Posted
Quintana said notices had been posted days earlier telling residents they had to leave and remove their belongings from the street…