Increase in Transient Reports Inspires Petaluma PD to Lead Cleanup Response
PETALUMA – The Petaluma Police Department has been well aware of an increase of transient related calls for service, and especially in the vicinity of Schollenberger Park. Officers from the department surveyed the area and contacted those living in the park. A plan to clean up the area was created, and then they brought in resources to assist the homeless population needing services.
Several people gathered Saturday, March 21, to clean up the park and the surrounding wetlands. The majority of debris found along the Petaluma River had been the result of transient camps in the area. One camp consisted of a sizable shelter that had been constructed on site. It even had separate rooms and large support beams to shore it up.
Debris was collected from the area for safe disposal.
County Supervisor David Rabbitt’s Office helped the Petaluma PD with a crew to assist in the clean-up. Volunteers came from the Mary Isaak Center, the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, the City of Petaluma Harbor Master’s Office, the Petaluma Sea Scouts, and the City of Petaluma Public Works, along with many residents of the city.
The largest camp was cleaned up with the help of a homeless individual who had recently lived there. He was able to get residency help at the Mary Isaak Center.
Over 2 tons of material was removed from the camps in the wetlands vicinity. Volunteer crews utilized boats from the Harbor Master’s Office to ferry the material from the banks of the park back to the Petaluma Marina, where is was off-loaded into large debris boxes.
The Petaluma Police Department also issued a Community Bulletin today thanking all of those who volunteered their time to help restore Schollenberger Park.
