SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — The City of San Angelo has officially begun removing the "Tent City" homeless encampment after mounting complaints and code violations forced it to take action.

The abatement began in the morning hours of May 6 and saw the San Angelo Police Department work alongside the City Code Compliance Division workers to vacate the camp, which was located between 14th Street and 11th Street. Meanwhile, members of the Concho Valley Homeless Planning Coalition and the City's Animal Services Department helped the individuals who lived in the camp move their property and pets.

"It's part of the ordinance to maintain properties, and that's what we're doing here this morning," Bob Salas, director of the City's Neighborhood & Family Services Department, said. "We're going to have heavy equipment, and we're going to go in and ensure that all materials are cleaned up and taken to the dump."

The City expected the abatement to displace approximately 30 people. As such, it has partnered with the homeless coalition to provide temporary housing for these individuals.

"It's unfortunate that individuals have to be removed and relocated," Salas said. "However, the City's been working with the homeless coalition that has provided some opportunities to provide them housing temporarily with the idea that we'll have a long-term solution eventually."

Code Compliance Division personnel expect the abatement to take roughly one week to complete. Information released by the Concho Valley Community Action Agency on April 24 indicates that City crews will shift focus to camps located "along the river up to Kirby Park” beginning sometime around May 27.

The City detailed its plans to conduct the abatement on May 1 after the CVCAA's April 24 publication stated that plans for the camp removal were in motion. A City official said that "properties at the aforementioned location are in violation of the city code for tall grass and weeds, and junk and unsightly material," thus warranting the abatement.

Furthermore, Jason Priddy, case manager for West Texas Counseling & Guidance, stated during an interview on April 30 that complaints by residents and businesses near the camp forced the City into enacting the abatement.

“The City understood that it was there. The problem was that the surrounding areas were complaining about it,” Priddy said. “Once they start complaining about it, the City has to do something about it.”

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/local-news/watch-tent-city-abatement-begins-in-san-angelo/