Quick Take
The Pajaro River levee encampment clearing continued to move forward Thursday as Watsonville public works crews prepared to repair parts of the levee. The entire process is slated to last through next week, but could extend beyond that.
The clearing of the Pajaro River levee homeless encampment, which began on Monday, moved forward Thursday in Watsonville as heavy machinery like bulldozers and large trucks began hauling away encampment remnants.
The City of Watsonville is working to clear the encampment and clean the area by the end of next week, but it could take longer than that, said City of Watsonville and Watsonville Police Department spokesperson Michelle Pulido. She previously said that the encampment has grown rapidly since the beginning of the year.
On Thursday, passersby could see Watsonville public works crews cutting down trees and mowing excess vegetation in the area as they prepare to repair parts of the levee. Pulido said that crews have to refill sections of the levee that have been dug out, which “compromises the integrity of the levee.” She said it will take several days for crews to complete cutting the trees and vegetation.
Pulido added that none of the encampment residents have been cited or arrested thus far: “Our officers are making sure people aren’t in the encampment, and it’s safe to clear. Everyone has complied.”
David Johnston, who has lived at the levee for several months, said he’s waiting to see what others are going to do, but admitted “there isn’t really anywhere for them to go.”
But some encampment residents remain frustrated with the move. Roger, who declined to give his last name, told Lookout that the move is just the latest example of displacement the homeless community has endured.
“We just move downstream, and then we move to the other side, and when they come to that side, we move back to this side,” he said. “That’s the game we’ve been playing for the last 10 years or so.”
Another resident, Julie, who also declined to give her last name, said that she feels dehumanized by the local government.
“They act like we’re a waste of space, or that’s how it feels,” she said. “They treat us like we’re animals or pests or something, because they just don’t care.
“These are little communities, and they all have good people. We will help anybody if they need help.”
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