The city of Chattanooga cleared out a homeless camp on Hooker Road on Monday, with a local nonprofit estimating around 50 people were affected.
Seven Chattanooga police vehicles rolled up around 3:30 p.m. to evict the camp, which had dwindled from several dozen people to around 20 over the past few weeks after police eviction warnings, according to the local nonprofit.
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Police spokesperson Heather Holley said the Homeless Engagement Team contacted the property owner, who confirmed she did not permit anyone to stay on the property, after the department received complaints about trash in and around the roadway.
The Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition and the city’s Office of Supportive Housing attended to aid the unhoused, the spokesperson said, and one man was arrested for outstanding warrants and having what appeared to be meth on him. The property manager started hanging up no trespassing signs by the afternoon, she said.