COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Colorado Springs police say an internal probe found no wrongdoing by officers overseeing the city’s clean up efforts at homeless camp sites.
Homeless advocates and the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado claim people at the sites were threatened with arrest and ordered to leave without their belongings during the monthly clean ups. Homeless advocates say sleeping bags, prescription medications, family pictures and military medals were illegally confiscated as cleaning crews escorted by police swooped in without warning.
Police Lt. Kirk Wilson says police could not find anyone with complaints, despite efforts that included notices at soup kitchens. The probe, started in February, concluded earlier this month.
ACLU attorney Taylor Pendergrass declined comment, citing possible legal action.
City officials suspended the cleanups in October after a man who has since been exposed as a Marine impostor, Rick Strandlof, threatened to sue. Other homeless advocates, including the ACLU, have statements from several homeless people who claim their belongings were confiscated and videotape allegedly showing police searching a suitcase.
Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful, the private contractor that conducted the monthly cleanups since 1998, resumed the cleanups in April with several changes, including providing three days notice.
Cleaning crews, many who are serving community service requirements, now stay out of active campsites and independent observers watch the sweeps.
