BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Concerns over health and safety led to the clearing of several homeless encampments in Columbia County Monday afternoon.
The camps were along the river at a popular area park.
Volunteers and borough officials gathered at Berwick's Test Track Park to clean up and clear out several homeless encampments.
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"We have people that come down here through generations with their kids to go fishing, their grandkids," stated Mayor Tim Burke (R.), Berwick.
Burke cites health and safety concerns as a big reason for the removal.
"Somewhere along the line we had found some needles, we had found some prescription drugs. It's a health hazard," added Mayor Burke.
Several area nonprofits stepped in with volunteers to clean up the camps.
"We found out that there's some trash here at Test Track Park along with some encampments and we wanted to totally clean it up," explained Kurnal Thakore, Operations Director, The Gate House.
The Gate House and AGAPE are community organizations that help people experiencing homelessness.
Representatives say their new cold blue shelter and their other services have allowed people to move out of encampments.
Since opening in January, about 30 people have come through the code blue doors.
"At this point we're not seeing anybody but since the code blues have been opening, a lot of the people that were at the Test Track have come into the code blues out from living down by the river," said Karla Alexander, Executive Director, AGAPE.
Code blue shelters are typically only open during the winter.
AGAPE provides case management, financial classes, and medical services year round for those who are without a place to stay.
Now that the camps are gone, Mayor Burke says the borough will try to make sure the park stays clean, so it can be enjoyed once again by visitors.
"We'll keep an eye on the park to make sure it stays clean for people to use, and make sure nobody is out here in zero degree weather when it gets that cold," said Mayor Burke.
Berwick also has an ordinance stating that individuals cannot camp on borough property for more than two days.
