LEHIGHTON, CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A large homeless encampment has been raising health and safety concerns in one local community. That camp has since been cleaned up, but local officials say the problem has been going on for years with no end in sight.
The encampment is located just off the Lehigh River in Lehighton. While the camp was cleaned up, the area still shows signs of homeless activity.
This is all that's left of what Lehighton locals have coined "tent city."
Just last week, Carbon County posted notices throughout the area, telling people living there to vacate the area and remove their belongings.
"The county has gone down there and handed out forms, resource cards as to where those who are there can go for some help, for some services. So we've been dealing with this for, well, I can tell you I've been dealing with this for the last year and a half," Carbon County Commissioner Michael Sofranko said.
Just a stone's throw away from the remaining camp is a large open area, full of debris and tracks from some sort of heavy equipment.
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Commissioner Sofranko says eight dumpsters full of garbage were removed from the area.
He says while the number of people living in "tent city" fluctuates, he thinks up to 35 people were recently living there.
"It started out as a few, and then a few turned into many, and then it became a safety hazard, you know, health hazard as well," Commissioner Sofranko added.
The area is home to hiking trails and is a popular stopping point for local kayak tours.
County officials say locals have reported feeling unsafe when hiking there and that the trash and waste produced by those living in the camps have made the area a health risk.
Jude Hill from Jim Thorpe agrees.
"There's feces, you know, all over the place, and it's a shame for it, it really is. It's a great spot for fishing," Hill explained.
Hill grew up fishing and playing with his friends in the area through the 60's and 70's.
He says it wasn't always like this, but says the things he's seen lately have been disturbing, including a woman and young child cleaning their clothes.
"They were washing their clothes in the river, she was just dumping on the clothes in the river- and then she gives the young girl a bath in the river," Hill continued.
Hill just wants this area returned to what he once knew.
County officials say while they have resources available to the homeless population, many choose to stay on the streets.
