BERKELEY, Calif. (KRON) — Police and city crews launched a surprise encampment sweep on Wednesday morning, clearing out tents and other items at 8th and Harrison streets in northwest Berkeley. One man told KRON4 he’s lived at the encampment for five years and police told him to get out.
He said he only had an hour notice and police did not tell him where to go. A business owner told KRON4 that homeless people ignited fires to cook on the sidewalk, and the encampment caused his insurance provider to cancel his policy.
Problems from the encampment promoted the business owner to spend thousands of dollars on renting a second warehouse that’s in a safer location.
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One homeless advocate told KRON4 there are no mental health professionals present at the sweep to help people at the encampment.“This is a lot of trauma,” said advocate Paul Taylor Blake, “a lot of nowhere to go. And there’s no representation whatsoever of mental health help out here today. These are human beings and people, and they need help. They don’t need to be moved into the asphalt.”…