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Crews Clear Another Homeless Encampment In San Jose

SAN JOSE (KCBS) – City crews in San Jose started the process of clearing out a homeless encampment near Happy Hollow Zoo on Monday morning, a process that is expected to take most of the week.

Among the items crews hauled out of the encampment near Senter and Story roads was a big screen TV, along with a generator.

"We've been working with homeless residents that have been living here the past few months and we've been trying to provide them with housing options and solutions," said Ray Bramson, Homeless Encampment Project Manager for the City of San Jose. "Now we're here to remove the debris and trash and help people move out of this site."

Crews Clear Another Homeless Encampment In San Jose

Monday's action occurred one month after an encampment near Mineta San Jose International Airport was cleared. Bramson said this latest cleanup is just one of many held throughout the year.

"Encampment clean ups are a regular part of the process for the city and the water district. We do them on a monthly basis," he said. "It's important because encampments pose a serious health risk."

The Santa Clara Valley Water District said the homeless encampments have jammed creeks with trash. But Octavio, who has been living in the encampment for the last three months, said it's just the opposite.

"Look at this, it's very nice looking now. Look at the color and the trees," he said. "Before, everything was dying because there was not enough water."

Many of the homeless are resisting efforts to move them into shelters.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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