The tent city that had taken over Broadway Park was once again the target of Turlock’s Neighborhood Services on Wednesday, when the city’s municipal code was enforced in relation to unlawfully stored personal property in a public place.

Neighborhood Services Code Enforcement staff posted multiple notices on Tuesday throughout Broadway Park and on all stored personal property within the park citing the municipal code that prohibits keeping property in a public place for more than 24 hours. Staff returned to the park on Wednesday to enforce the municipal code, hauling away 2,260 pounds of items left behind. Broadway Park bathrooms and other areas were also temporarily closed off to the public due to health hazards that required sanitation and cleaning.

This is the second time the City of Turlock has cleaned out Broadway Park. The first time was shortly after Thanksgiving on Nov. 27, 2018. Following the dismantling of the homeless encampment under and near the Golden State Boulevard overpass by Stanislaus County on Nov. 15, many of the homeless relocated to Broadway Park. The City of Turlock has held a number of recent workshops to discuss homelessness and the City Council declared a shelter crisis in the city, opening up access to funds from the state earmarked for issue.