August 1—ESPAÑOLA — City police issued trespassing warnings Thursday morning to people living in a homeless camp along the banks of the Rio Grande in Española.
The warnings were the first step by law enforcement following the most recent threat from city officials to close and clear the camp. Officials posted a “closure notice” Wednesday warning residents that the camp, which was established in February on city property off Fairview Drive by City Manager Eric Lujan, would close at noon.
On Monday, there were already warnings to leave, following earlier threats in April and June.
Carol Draper, 60, and her son Scott, two of the camp's dozens of residents, were both given “criminal trespassing warnings” on Thursday, as were many other campers, Draper said.
The written warnings, signed by Lujan, state: “I hereby notify the above named individual that my permission or authorization for him/her to enter or remain in the above named country is now and forever revoked.”
Lujan established the camp after dozens of people were evicted from an unrecognized camp on nearby Ohkay Owingeh land.
On Thursday morning, a municipal crew cut down and removed trees near the camp, including the trees next to Draper's spot that she said had been providing shade for her tent.
The police involvement in clearing the camp is a departure from comments made by Police Chief Mizel Garcia in recent months, who said officers would play no role in evicting people from the site.
Many people living in the camp had signed liability agreements provided by city officials when they moved in in February.
This is a developing story. Check back later for more details.
