Rough sleepers in California were found living in furnished caves dug into the banks of a river in Modesto.
The caves, decorated with murals and makeshift fireplaces, were emptied of belongings and 7,600 lbs of rubbish.
The community living in the caves had carved makeshift stairs into the hillside leading down to them.
“This particular area has been plagued by vagrancy and illegal camps, which have raised concerns due to the fact that these camps were actually caves dug into the riverbanks,” the Modesto Police Department stated.
The caves had to be vacated for safety reasons, as they posed a risk of collapse.
“If one of these were to collapse, it would be devastating,” local resident Tracy Rojas said. “This whole thing would come down and go into the water. It’s a hazard for not only the people who are living in there but the people who are walking up there.”
“You can see the hooks on the wall where they had bottles and stuff hanging down. I think there needs to be more emphasis on the homeless. They are at the point where you can see they are desperate.”
The issue of homelessness is a growing concern in California, particularly in Los Angeles, where the annual homeless count aims to establish the number of unhoused individuals and the services they may need.
California is facing a ‘state of emergency’ over homelessness, with significant increases in the homeless population in recent years.
Read Also:
TV Star Blames Crisis Under Biden Admin For Son’s Death
Hunter Biden’s ‘Sugar Brother’ Makes Bombshell Admission
