Homeless encampments abound around Hwy. 99
»Play Video
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Crews cleaning Highway 99 have noticed homeless encampments popping up around Bakersfield.
John Enriquez is the chairman of the Keeping Bakersfield Beautiful group, but the camps are keeping him from his goal.
"We just have all kinds of debris and trash and clothes, anything you can think of, and, unfortunately, we have people that live in these conditions," Enriquez said.
Caltrans officials said they consider the camps illegal. If one is found, the California Highway Patrol is notified. Then, there's a 72-hour notice before the encampments are cleared out.
The encampments are considered potentially dangerous, and, if you spot one, Caltrans has advice: stay away.
But, the true trouble is the trash.
"That just adds on to the litter problem we see across the state," said Jose Camera of Caltrans.
Tim Calahan, of the Bakersfield Rescue Mission, said some homeless people would rather have no rules and no roof rather than the alternative.
"A lot of times, it's by their own choice to live that way," Calahan said.
Enriquez said he's seen encampments around the Kern River and at least three near Hwy. 99.
"Its out there. It's reality, and hopefully we can get them some help and relocate them," Enriquez said. "Bakersfield's a caring community. I'm sure we can help them one way or another."
John Enriquez is the chairman of the Keeping Bakersfield Beautiful group, but the camps are keeping him from his goal.
"We just have all kinds of debris and trash and clothes, anything you can think of, and, unfortunately, we have people that live in these conditions," Enriquez said.
Caltrans officials said they consider the camps illegal. If one is found, the California Highway Patrol is notified. Then, there's a 72-hour notice before the encampments are cleared out.
The encampments are considered potentially dangerous, and, if you spot one, Caltrans has advice: stay away.
But, the true trouble is the trash.
"That just adds on to the litter problem we see across the state," said Jose Camera of Caltrans.
Tim Calahan, of the Bakersfield Rescue Mission, said some homeless people would rather have no rules and no roof rather than the alternative.
"A lot of times, it's by their own choice to live that way," Calahan said.
Enriquez said he's seen encampments around the Kern River and at least three near Hwy. 99.
"Its out there. It's reality, and hopefully we can get them some help and relocate them," Enriquez said. "Bakersfield's a caring community. I'm sure we can help them one way or another."
Encampments are dirty, but where would they put the trash if they don't even have a place to put there belongings. But the residents of Bakersfield do more littering along freeways and roads everyday especially over in our area the outskirts of Bakersfield towards the dumpsite. Our roads are constantly being abused by passer byes, then we have the abandon mobile homes. There is no vegetation it is all dry and dead and when they have planted trees on the on ramps to 58 Highway they die do to lack of water. You want to "Keep Bakersfield Clean" start where the problems are at plain site even if we are in the outskirts of Bakersfield, we are what is seen first when entering the city.
The city of Bakersfield is more concerned about encampments and the way single dwelling residents keep their back yards. How residents keep their backyards is none of the cityâs business. The homeless problem is not an quick fix issue. Through choice or no fault of their own, homelessness will persist.  Jesus, Paul the Apostle, and the Buddha were homeless; they chose that lifestyle.
Â
In the Valley Plaza area alone there is trash and brush overgrowth along Wible Rd, Wilson Rd, âHâ St, to name a few. There are areas on those streets where ivy run over to the pedestrian walk ways.
Â
The on-ramp by the old Target building is an encampment, Â along with trash, brush over growth that has been there for years. Leave the encampments alone; pick up the trash and trim back the brush!
Â
There are many areas like those mentioned. I am familiar with them because I live and walk there. Instead of citing residents  for having  âstuffâ piled up in their back yard patio, cite the city for not cleaning up the public areas.
Â
Do it before the Bakersfield Business Conference. It would leave a positive impression to visitors who will be attending.
The homeless people typically live that way as a choice and do not want help or change. Wouldn't it be easy to set up a dumpster paid for by the city that is collected weekly nearby the place they habitat? Even as a trial thing, perhaps it could be a simple solution to this issue.