​Literal Tons of Property Removed During Homeless Debris Cleanup in Azusa

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CItyWatch Editor

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AZUSA – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, assisted by Azusa Police officers, worked to remove an impressive amount of debris and property from 60 acres the San Gabriel Riverbed in late February.

The weeklong project occurred from February 22 through February 28 and resulted in 128 tons of floatable debris being removed, which filled 16 40-cubic-yard dumpsters, according to William Reese of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District.

The work was necessary, Reese said, to abate runoff blockage risks that could cause flooding of populated areas during heavy rains.

Debris consisted of wood pallets, empty propane and gas canisters, tarps, furniture, old tires, electronics, water cans and even a vintage arcade game that long since stopped working, Reese said.

Reese noted a large amount of a giant invasive reed, the Arundo Donax, was removed after having been used to construct encampment walls and huts.

“The work was done by hand, so as not to disturb bird nesting and other wildlife habitats, with debris gathered directly to dumpsters or at collection points along a hardtop pedestrian/bicycle path,” Reese said in a written statement.

A crew of 15 contracted personnel worked to remove the debris and were slightly hampered by intermittent and light rain as they had to traverse soggy terrain while hauling the trash up steep cement embankments to the dumpsters, Reese said.

Another important aspect of the cleanup was to not disturb the wildlife habitat and nesting birds.

“Camping in the San Gabriel River is illegal and inherently dangerous, as flash flooding can occur from heavy rains further upstream,” Reese said in a written statement.

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and Veterans Affairs personnel assisted an undisclosed number of homeless people with offers of services prior to the cleanup, Reese said.

The Irwindale Police Department, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and City of Duarte also assisted, Reese said.