Last week, in a bid to address community concerns, Pierce County Sheriff's Department deputies joined forces with a private rail company and its contractor to tackle a burgeoning homeless encampment in Midland. In a collaborative effort targeting an area fraught with crime, including shootings and assaults, the cleanup took place along the railroad tracks at McKinley Ave E & 72nd St, according to the department’s blotter.
Efforts to sanitize the location saw a contractor haul away an immense 20,000 pounds of solid waste. Meanwhile, deputies issued trespassing notices to 11 individuals, effectively barring them from private property. As part of these cleanup operations, environmental design principles were employed to discourage further unlawful settlement—an approach that included trimming back the vegetation and the installation of "No Trespassing" signs.
The cleanup wasn't just about displacing the homeless or tidying up—an unexpected find amongst the tented dwellings brought a lighter note to the somber task. Deputies discovered two kittens, seemingly left behind as the human tide receded. These feline waifs were promptly delivered to the Humane Society, where they are set to receive necessary care ahead of finding a new home, the blotter post detailed.
This recent undertaking is part of a broader strategy intended to rejuvenate the concerned area. Local businesses and nearby residents can breathe a sigh of relief as authorities take decisive action on such a complex issue. The execution of these initiatives signals a robust community-centric approach, undoubtedly laying the groundwork for an improved and safer neighborhood atmosphere.
