HOST, SL County Health Department, DWR to join effort

Posted: June 23, 2013 — Due to a variety of complaints, the Salt Lake City Police Department, the Salt Lake County Health Department and other partners will work to clear transient camps in City Creek Canyon beginning Monday morning, June 24, 2013.

Members of the Homeless Outreach Service Team (HOST) and SLCPD’s Crisis Intervention Team will work to provide shelter and other social services to individuals they encounter. However, the week-long operation is designed to preserve the environment and promote safe recreation in the canyon, while also addressing criminal activity and violations of health regulations.

Agencies participating in the week-long operation will include:

• SLCPD Community Intelligence Unit
• SLCPD Crisis Intervention Team
• Salt Lake County Health Department
• Volunteers of America
• Fourth Street Clinic
• Division of Wildlife Resources
• Public Utilities
• Utah Highway Patrol

The group will issue a 24-hour notice to vacate starting Monday morning, with citations issued for illegal camping. Tuesday morning they will return to remove all trash, debris and any personal items left on the property, and dispose of it, under authority of Utah Code Annotated 26A.

Reporters interested in observing the operation are invited to meet at the road salt storage facility on East Bonneville Boulevard at approximately 600 North Monday at 10 a.m. Please wear clothing appropriate to the rugged conditions of the environment.

Contact: Reporters seeking comment should contact the Public Information Officer at 801.799.NEWS (6397).

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