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Officials Planning to Clear Gainesville Homeless Camp

Homeless Person w/Police Lights
Posted at 4:46 PM, Sep 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-29 12:51:32-04

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Officials are planning to clear a homeless camp under a Gainesville bridge following complaints from the state and recent reports of violence.

The Gainesville Times reports (http://bit.ly/2dxqtFa) city law enforcement is looking to move the nearly dozen or so residents from the encampment located beneath the Queen City Bridge beginning Monday.

The move comes at a time when reports of violence at the camp have grown more frequent.

Earlier this month, the Georgia Department of Transportation sent a letter to city police saying repair work at the site is "hazardous" to employees because of "illegal structures and waste that accumulates."

Gainesville officials say they're also working with several area organizations to offer mental health, substance abuse and housing services to those in need.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.gainesvilletimes.com

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