Homeless Camp Encroaching On Citrus Heights School
CITRUS HEIGHTS (CBS13) -- Just steps from the playground at a Citrus Heights elementary school, there's trash, mattresses, discarded clothing and tents used by the homeless who live along the creek.
"That's kind of scary," said Deelynda Simon, the mother of a Carriage Drive Elementary student.
Garbage was even found on the school campus when CBS13's Maria Medina went to check out the situation Friday.
"I don't know what else to say other than that's scary and it makes me just cringe up," said another parent, Erich Sherlock, who added he didn't know of the situation until told by CBS13.
The school posted a sign warning the homeless to vacate the area, but they've ignored it.
Citrus Heights police say they often given warnings to the homeless but that they often disappear during the day and come back at night.
"Ultimately, you can be arrested," said Officer Brian Fritsch. "It's a misdemeanor."
But a school spokesperson said the homeless have never bothered a student in the last 30 years they've pitched tents up and down the creek.
And the grandmother of a Carriage student took a sympathetic side.
"What can you do? I mean they have to have somewhere to live. Just so they don't bother the children, I can't see they're doing any harm," Evelyn Smith said.
Still, some parents told CBS13 they plan to talk to the school about the situation, especially since some students go down to the creek frequently for science class.
"There shouldn't be homeless people living right by the school, that's for sure," parent George Coons said.
