FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
Last month we brought you the story of the homeless camp near the Highway 180 and 99 interchange, and how a local boxing gym wouldn't allow any of its boxers to run along this dirt road near the canal.
The boxers were being confronted by some of the homeless.
We have since learned members of the Fresno Police Department have been in contact with the owner of the property and have taken the necessary steps to clean up the area.
Capt. Greg Garner says "Part of the issues for us was getting the owner involved, it's private property so we have to get them involved. We've since contacted them doing something about the problem, working with them to get it posted properly and get the folks removed."
After a little investigating, I found the property is owned by Joe Wirick with Zacky Farms.
I spoke with him last month, and he said he had someone post no trespassing signs on the property, and even took these pictures.
John Velarde, with Velarde's Boxing Gym, says he's also been contacted by police.
John Velarde says, "They've been calling me and removed some of the parolees here, and doing a good job checking it all out, we want them out of here, but everything takes time."
Capt. Garner says, "In order for us to enforce it, it has to be properly posted and letter on file to go onto his property and enforce trespassing and you can tell that's a bit of a convoluted process."
A process made even more convoluted and risky after a 2008 American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit, when hundreds of homeless people in Fresno won more than $2 million from the city and Caltrans.
That was after workers threw away and destroyed personal property during their clean up belonging to the homeless.
But Justin Ratcliff, who has been living along the canal for the past 6 months, says he knows his rights and no one's going to make him move.
Ratcliff says, "Any person who has no home or homeless person may erect a structure or something for their warmth or safety." Erik Rosales says, "The only problem is this is private property." Justin says, "No the fence ends and the canal is right here. This is public. I looked it up on Google."
Google or not, police say no trespassing signs will soon be posted, allowing them to enforce the ordinance.
Police hope to have it cleaned within two weeks.
