The homeless camp underneath the Queen City Bridge in Gainesville has been cleared, and crews with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) now are working on the clean-up of the area.
Gainesville Police were asked to be on scene when GDOT crews arrived Tuesday morning, though no problems occurred, according to Jay Parrish, deputy chief, noting that no homeless people were present at the camp.
"They've asked us to enforce (the) criminal trespass (code) for living under the bridge, so anybody we find trespassing on that property ... will first be told to leave. And if they refuse, they will face arrest," said Parrish.
Local non-profits and ministries have been working over the last three weeks to help the former residents of the camp find alternate living arrangements, or treatment for substance abuse.
Parrish said most of the residents got help with shelter and rehab during that time.
"Some have just moved on, and we've lost track of them," said Parrish.
Katie Strickland, GDOT spokeswoman, said crews began working around 8 a.m.
"They were able to cut some trees, reclaim the right-of-way and improve the area. Illegal dumping was also removed," said Strickland in a prepared audio statement.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/10/461721/homeless-camp-cleared-under-queen-city-bridge-gdot-crews-begin-clean-up