Authorities plan new sweeps of homeless camps along Truckee River

Monday, Feb. 23, 1998 | 9:18 a.m.

Three weeks ago, a sweep of the river uncovered 29 homeless camps from Verdi to Sparks. Seventeen truck loads of trash were hauled away.

No one was arrested during the previous sweep and camps and possessions were left alone because of threatened legal action by the American Civil Liberties Union.

But authorities are now planning to remove the camps, based on legal opinions from the District Attorney's Office and Legislative Counsel Bureau.

"We were previously directed by our legal advisors not to arrest or cite people who appeared homeless and who had no alternatives but who otherwise violated a number of laws ... because of insufficient services availability," the Washoe County Sheriff's Office said.

The ACLU had maintained that authorities could not arrest homeless people for ordinance violations unless the community provided adequate alternatives and support services.

"We now have sufficient services available to assist those individuals who have chosen to live along the river should they seek to avail themselves of these community resources," the sheriff's office said in a written statement.

A new homeless services center operated by Project Restart is available to assist homeless people find shelter and obtain other services, such as job, substance abuse and financial counseling.

Authorities estimate they receive about 5,000 calls a year from residents complaining about the homeless camps.

Reno Police Officer Gary Pointer, who is with the Homeless Evaluation Liaison Program, said officers have been posting notices of violation at homeless camps, and that camps found during the sweep will be dismantled.

Sheriff's Sgt. Bob Towery said homeless people will be directed to shelters and services, and that arrests will be made only for breaking laws and as a last resort.