Caltrans crews in California’s Central Valley have been highlighting their cleanup efforts of homeless encampments, but some locals argue they haven’t done a thorough job.
A post from Caltrans District 6 in Fresno contained before and after photos showing messy encampments full of waste. These images were shared on X and the Caltrans Facebook page.
According to the post, “Caltrans removed an encampment on State Route 180 near Abbey Street in Fresno on June 16,” and noted that they gathered 2.5 cubic yards of debris during the operation. It also mentioned that individuals affected received help from associated services.
The scene in the first photo shows a neighborhood cluttered with shopping carts, mattresses, and trash, all surrounded by graffiti and dry brush.
The second photo reveals some of the debris cleared away, yet the prominent graffiti remains untouched and the dry grass around hasn’t been addressed.
This led to local residents criticizing the cleanup initiative, calling it “tone-deaf.” One resident remarked that while the cleanup was worthy, promoting it with celebratory photos of the remaining mess was misplaced.
“It seems off to pat oneself on the back when the area isn’t actually clean,” they added, pointing out that the slogan should be “Clean California,” not “Somehow Clean California.”
Similar sentiments were expressed on Facebook, where many reacted with laughter to the posts showing the unfinished work.
This hasn’t been an isolated incident, as Caltrans recently also posted about clearing another encampment along State Route 41, stating that four cubic yards of debris were collected. Still, large amounts of graffiti and debris remained, raising further concerns.
Fresno’s Mayor, Jerry Dyer, has been criticized for his comments on homelessness, stating, “There are zero encampments in the city of Fresno,” even while admitting the challenge isn’t resolved yet. This led to skepticism from advocates who argued that such statements misinform the public.
Concerns are growing among residents about the portrayal of the situation, prompting some to call for a new mayor and questioning the management of tax dollars in dealing with homelessness.
Statistics suggest a 9.2% rise in homelessness in the Fresno-Madera County region by 2025, though Dyer claims preliminary data points to a decline this year.
According to recent counts, there are currently about 3,250 homeless individuals in the city, compared to 4,905 reported in 2023. Further clarification from Caltrans has been requested regarding these cleanup efforts.
