Powell Street Underpass Homeless Encampment Cleared by City Crews

The growing homeless encampment under the Powell Street underpass was cleared by City of Emeryville crews and contractors today. The number of tents had slowly grown to at least four tents and refuse had been steadily piling up.

A hazardous material response team was deployed to help clear paraphernalia and human waste and city employees were busy power-washing the sidewalk path. Several Emeryville Police officers were on hand to divert the public.

An Emeryville Public Works truck could be seen piled with shopping carts, wood pallets and other debris.

“The location was posted on Tuesday with notice that the area would be cleaned of accumulated debris on Friday,” noted City Manager Christine Daniel when contacted.

“The City’s outreach provider, Operation Dignity, has been engaging with the unhoused individuals at this location and offering services to them, and will continue to do so.”

Operation Dignity’s offices are located on San Pablo Avenue in Emeryville and have been working with vulnerable populations since 1993.

Daniels noted that if the displaced individuals had questions about any items that were removed, they could contact the City’s Public Works Department directly or through an Operation Dignity case worker.

One of the occupants of the camp merely moved across Powell to the other side of the underpass.