ABERDEEN, Wash. — A major cleanup at the River Camp in Aberdeen was completed Wednesday.
It was the city’s unregulated homeless camp along the Chehalis River, which more than 100 people once called home.
"The property is now cleared. No arrests or charges were filed. All individuals left voluntarily. As of Wednesday, the property is completely cleared, with the city removing 300 tons of debris and garbage," Aberdeen Mayor Erik Larson said.
Excavators tore down makeshift structures and filled dump truck after dump truck with loads of trash they trekked to the dump Monday.
The 8-acre site was a hot topic for years. The city bought it in July 2018.
Larson said the site was dangerous and people have been hurt on the train tracks.
It was in early July that the city told people to leave and opened up 42 tents at the new homeless camp behind City Hall.
"They just shoved it down to the river and pretended it wasn't there, and now they're just shoving it downtown and putting up a fence and pretending it's not there,” said April Forbes, an Aberdeen resident.
Many people who lived along the river were reluctant to move.
“Imagine if it was your house. You just think of it as a structure or ramshackle shack, but, I mean, she lived in there for years, so I think it’s sorta sad,” said Aaron Buchanan.
Buchanan lived in the River Camp for six months with his brothers and aunt.
Larson said the city would take legal action against people who did not move off the riverfront property by the end of Monday.
Cox Media Group
