PORT ANGELES – Clallam County sheriff’s deputies have cleared a dozen homeless encampments along the Port Angeles-area waterfront.

Late last week, deputies and a REdisCOVERY social worker contacted several individuals in nearly one dozen homeless encampments on the Olympic Discovery Trail east of the old Rayonier mill site.

Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King says after deputies told the individuals they were trespassing; they were introduced to the social worker. King says the contacts resulted in the individuals being offered mental health, substance abuse, medical services, housing and shelter, food bank, crisis services, and transportation.

Inmate workers with the Clallam County Corrections Facility CREW (Community, Roads, & Ecology Workers) spent several hours cleaning up the area. They collected and disposed over 2000 pounds of trash, including hypodermic needles.