Deputies begin removal of homeless camps along Truckee River

Tom Gardner

Tuesday, March 3, 1998 | 9:16 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - The sheriff's department launched its sweep of homeless camps along the Truckee River by clearing out five of 25-30 sites ranging from scattered bedding to lightly insulated shacks.

"Most are transitory camps," Washoe County Sheriff's Sgt. Bob Towery said Monday.

"This one is pretty well established," he said as a frontloader moved in on a lean-to lined with paper to help keep out the winter's winds.

Its occupant, called the "can man" by deputies because he collects metal cans and sells them to recycling companies, resisted leaving, but was seen pedaling away with his bag of cans as deputies pulled up.

"He was determined to stay," Towery said.

The sweep is expected to last all week along about 42 miles of river bank from the California line through Reno.

Authorities estimate they receive about 5,000 calls a year from residents complaining about the homeless camps and their garbage, vermin and human excrement.

Along with grills, charcoal, shopping carts, food and some sticks of furniture, inmate work crews removed filthy foam rubber pads and bedding on Monday after chasing away mice and carefully avoiding their droppings.

A Washoe District Health Department inspector determined which items needed to be discarded and which ones had to be kept. Inventories were made of the other items and all will be held for 90 days as found property.

"That's what really eats up the time," Deputy John Giles said.

The camps were posted by deputies last week and the homeless apparently got the word as the areas were abandoned Monday.

The squatters were referred to resource agencies for assistance in finding shelter and other services such as counseling. No one was cited, Towery said.