Crime & Safety
Residents Of Homeless Encampment In Fremont Displaced Due To Park Closure: Reports
City officials say they are offering relocation services to residents of an encampment at Isherwood Park.
FREMONT, CA — Sweeps of a homeless encampment in Fremont began Monday as city crews descended upon a local park to conduct environmental cleanups, according to multiple news reports.
City officials said Isherwood Park would be closed to visitors on Monday for maintenance work and other park improvements.
The closure was enacted to remove vegetation to improve fire safety, protect local waterways and enhance accessibility for all visitors, according to a city official. More improvements and maintenance work are expected through the winter, and the park will be fully closed starting on Friday, Nov. 14.
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Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan said there have been complaints of the local waterways being contaminated and reports of fires throughout the park, according to a report by the East Bay Times. He wants to clean up the park so that families can safely use it, according to the report.
But dozens of residents who reside at the Isherwood Park and Quarry Lakes encampments are being displaced in the process. Many residents of the encampment questioned the decision by the city to close the park, according to the report.
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“I don’t see why," Jose Zermeno, a resident of the encampment, told the East Bay Times. "We’re not bothering anybody. We’ve been here for years. It’s peaceful.”
Relocation services are being provided for residents of the encampment, city officials said online.
Weekly outreach efforts have been going on at the encampment since May, city officials said.
Many of the people living at the park have since been referred to Fremont's Housing Navigation Center, city officials said.
"The City recognizes this closure may be challenging for those currently residing in Isherwood Park and remains dedicated to providing support," officials said online. "The City assures those residing in the park that ongoing communication about the phased closure and relocation options will be provided through community outreach efforts."
Read more from the East Bay Times.
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