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City of Olympia clears encampment at Deschutes Parkway

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The city of Olympia began clearing a homeless encampment along the Deschutes Parkway on Wednesday.

According to a release from the city, the decision was made to clear the camp for the health and safety of residents.

The owners of the property requested that the city enforce trespass laws and remove the camp as the state’s eviction moratorium had ended after Oct. 31.

The clearing also comes after three violent incidents at the encampment in October.

City officials stated that during the week of Nov. 15, people living at the camp were given a written notice, which was posted at the site on Dec. 3.

On Dec. 8, the city began removing all debris, trash and garbage and said people living at the encampment needed to leave by 8 a.m., according to the release.

As for the clean-up, officials said Deschutes Parkway will be closed from Lakeridge Drive to 5th Avenue.

It is not clear where the campers will go because the city’s sanctioned camping site is mostly full.

The city said in part, “The City does not have the resources to provide alternative shelter options for all the individuals from the encampment, and unfortunately, there are not enough shelter beds available in our community. However, City staff are working on-site with the individuals to find alternative places for them to live.”