STERI-CLEAN® INDIANA - Homeless Camp Cleanup
Homeless Encampment Cleanup
In August of 2018 a 33-year-old female was crushed and killed by heavy machinery used to remove a homeless encampment in Santa Cruz, CA conducted by city employees. The union representing the city employees contends their members were not adequately trained, vaccinated and provided the right equipment to conduct this type of work.
This is an awful tragedy, but completely preventable. While great compassion and care is required when working with homeless individuals, the potential risks posed by a homeless camp must be considered by the city or township. Removing the trash and waste from the homeless camps is often an overwhelming task for government entities and businesses. Steri-Clean Indiana can supply the needed equipment and supplies to guarantee the cleanup is efficient, cost effective, and most of all safe.
Risks Associated with Encampment Cleanup in Urban Environments
Steri-Clean Indiana will do everything we can to inform the homeless residents we will be cleaning up their encampments. All encampments are walked, and enclosures agitated to alert occupants of our presence. We post signs around homeless encampments to provide the residents with 72 hours’ notice we will be cleaning the area. We understand the contents in encampments: maybe the only possessions a resident still own. Therefore, we never lose sight of the human factor and on occasion have found sentimental or valuable items. These items will be protected and provided to authorities so they may find their rightful owner.
Concerns related to working around needles has long been a consideration due to blood-borne pathogens. The greater risk these days seems to be the ever-present and deadly fentanyl additive which can be in heroin, marijuana, and other drugs. “Stamp Packs,” even when empty, can be deadly if you touch them. Fentanyl deaths have reached an epidemic level in the United States. Fentanyl is imported from China and is used to boost the potency of common illegal drugs. The number of overdoses has grown significantly in the last 20 years.
It’s very common to find a wide range of waste such as combustibles, electronics, dead animals, and even abandoned vehicles when people move out of a homeless camp. Bodily fluids, decomposing animals, and other biological waste, medical waste or drug paraphernalia require special attention and the certified biohazard technicians at Steri-Clean Indiana are fully capable of providing biohazard cleanup and transportation of contained regulated waste to licensed medical waste disposal entities. As a standard of practice, we always utilize EPA registered hospital grade disinfectants to all affected areas providing a safe, post cleanup environment for the community
Contact Steri-Clean Indiana today
If your city or business is dealing with a homeless encampment, Steri-Clean Indiana can help. Our expert technicians wear personal protective equipment and are properly trained to remove and dispose of biohazards and other waste. Contact us today to schedule a cleanup of homeless encampments by calling 1-888-577-2706.