In Modesto, California, modern ‘cavemen’ have been discovered in eight caves that they had dug themselves. About six meters underground, homeless people had built entire rooms and equipped them with furniture and beds. And waste, lots of waste.
When you look at images of the entrances to the caves, you immediately see how dangerous they are. Homeless people dug them in the bed of the Tuolumne River, not far above water level. A rise in water levels could quickly prove fatal.
The residents were therefore removed, as were all their possessions. The police informed them in advance of the cleaning and also offered to help them find alternative accommodation.
Clutter and waste
It’s amazing what was in the caves. Images of the inside show bedding, tables, food and a firearm. The homeless were also supplied with drugs.
Volunteers and officers recovered no less than 3,450 kilograms of rubbish and waste. “We don’t really understand how they got so many things in there, considering how difficult it is to get them out over the hill,” said Chris Guptill, coordinator of volunteer organization ‘9-2-99’.
What now?
It is not the first time that such caves have been cleared, but this time they were much more extensive than the last time. “This specific area is plagued by vagrancy and illegal camps,” the police said. The question is therefore what the police can do to keep the homeless away this time. “It’s already been proven that people are digging the caves, so I don’t think filling them with any kind of material would work,” Guptill added.
Currently the entrances are closed with gates and police tape. There is also talk of turning the area into an official park and installing cameras there to allow for more law enforcement.
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