Concerns arise in California as caves dug by individuals experiencing homelessness near the Tuolumne River prompt worries about safety. The discovery sheds light on the ongoing crisis of unhoused people in the state.
Collaborative Cleanup Effort
The Modesto Police Department, the Tuolumne River Trust, and Operation 9-2-99, a volunteer river clean-up organization, joined forces to remove approximately 7,600 pounds of trash from the caves and surrounding areas, as reported by local outlet CBS13.
Safety Risks and Living Conditions
Residents express concerns about the safety of those living in caves situated about 20 feet below street level. Makeshift staircases provide access to these caves, which were fully furnished with bedding, belongings, food, drugs, and even makeshift weapons.
Environmental Impact
With natural phenomena like rising water levels and erosion along the Tuolumne River bank, the belongings of the unhoused are being washed away into the river. Contamination and hazards pose risks not only to those living in the caves but also to the community.
Community Concerns
Voices from the Neighborhood
Tracy Rojas, a nearby homeowner, expresses the fear of potential collapses and emphasizes the desperate situation faced by the homeless. She highlights the need for more attention to the homeless crisis.
Challenges of Addressing the Issue
Chris Guptill, a coordinator for Operation 9-2-99, admits uncertainty about a solution. Filling in the caves might not be effective, as the unhoused community could carve out new ones, presenting a challenge in dealing with the problem.
California's Homelessness Crisis
California holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest rate of homelessness in the United States, with around 162,000 unhoused individuals, constituting nearly 30% of the population, according to the World Population Review.
Despite clearing the caves, the neighborhood near the river remains uneasy, emphasizing the ongoing safety hazard for both the unhoused community and the surrounding community.