The City of Vernon is taking action to clear out homeless camps.
On Thursday, heavy machinery was brought in to clear out a homeless camp near Kal Tire Place.
“There is shelter space that is available in the community right now and we would like to get these camps cleared up before they are covered in snow and the job becomes even more difficult,” by-law enforcement officer Clint Kanester said.
Residents were warned earlier this month they had five days to remove their belongings.
The city cleared out another camp in Polson Park earlier this week.
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One man told Global News he lost his tent in that clean up and doesn’t know where he’ll go tonight after being forced out of this second site.
“I went over there on my bike and witnessed the devastation,” he said. “I sat at the end of that board walk for like an hour. Kind of crushed I guess.”
The city says it will take steps to save personal belongings from tents but if tents are unsanitary or contain things like needles it’s unsafe for staff to go through and try to salvage campers’ personal effects.
The city has previously said it is decommissioning the camps because it doesn’t have the resources to guarantee health and safety.
with files from Megan Turcato