Fresno County sheriff’s deputies clear homeless encampment

A homeless encampment west of Fresno was cleaned up Tuesday by Fresno County sheriff’s deputies and county workers.

The encampment was at the southeast corner of Shields and Valentine avenues. Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said that county workers, the Poverello House and the Fresno-Madera Continium of Care first worked to find housing for the people who had been living in the area. Then the property was cleared of structures, as well as refuse and trash left behind.

Items that were identified as belonging to residents were collected and placed in storage; they can be retrieved over the next 90 days.

Botti said the elimination of the camp came after complaints from local residents and the property owner. As many as two dozen were occupying the property. Deputies posted notices on April 4 to vacate the area.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Fresno County sheriff’s deputies clear homeless encampment."