Transient Camp Cleanup, March 15

The City of Coos Bay is coordinating with several local agencies including the Nancy Devereux Center and Les’ Sanitary Services to assist in the removal of trash associated with homeless/transient campsites located between Morrison Street and John Topits Park on March 28th and 29th. Les’ Sanitary Services will place dumpsters at three locations – North Morrison Street right-of-way, the Nancy Devereux Center, and at the Ackerman Avenue entrance to John Topits Park.  The Devereux Center will distribute large trash bags to volunteers and clients to help with collecting trash.  City staff and work crews from Shutter Creek Correctional Institution will be clearing trash and brush in the area with the goal of removing the campsites and making the area less inviting to illegal camping. The camps are unlawfully occupying both public and private property and have contributed to an increase in crime and concerns in the area.  These large homeless/transient campsites present health concerns due to garbage and human waste. City staff met with several community groups and agencies Tuesday at the Coos Bay Fire Department. The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate the effort to better assist the occupants of the homeless/transient camps relocate and use available resources.  This cleanup effort is focused on homeless camps.  The annual City Clean-Up Day where City residents can drop off household trash at multiple locations is scheduled for April 22nd with more information on this event coming soon.