Mayor Hancock Addresses Concerns Over Homeless Camp Cleanups
DENVER (CBS4) - Cleaning crews on Wednesday returned to the area where homeless people have been camping out in Denver's Ballpark neighborhood. The city cleaned up the area on Tuesday, but the homeless returned.
The crews returned to pick up trash and power-wash sidewalks near Lawrence Street and Park Avenue West. The City of Denver cleared out the homeless camps on Tuesday saying they had become a health and safety hazard.
PHOTO GALLERY: City Of Denver Takes Action Against Homeless Camp
The American Civil Liberties Union criticized the move. They claim it criminalizes homelessness and it does not solve the root problem. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock addressed those concerns on Wednesday.
"We've been working with them on job placement, working with them on transitional housing, working with them on accessing mental health services," Hancock said. "This is a sustained effort. This is not a one day hit."
The homeless camps had been in the neighborhood for six months.
Denver cited an ordinance that bans the blockage of public spaces to move the camps.
