UPDATED: Concord Homeless Encampment Rousted

Concord police, working with a local homeless advocate, broke up a large homeless encampment along Arnold Industrial Way on Saturday evening, referring three homeless people to other shelter and homeless services.

There were 16 homeless people in the camp on the property of Lowe’s Home Improvement, said Douglas Stewart of Martinez/Pacheco Homeless Outreach, who writes for Martinez Patch. One homeless man was taken to the hospital, Stewart said.

“This is always a continuous effort on the part of CPD and Pacheco Homeless Outreach, so last night was just one of many attempted,” Concord police Lt. Bill Roche wrote in an email. “As this is private property, we are encouraging the owner of the property to take a more proactive stance in the management of their property to address the current issues as well as to put into place long-term preventive measures.”

Stewart wrote that police are concerned about the camp because of recent thefts of brass vases at nearby Memory Gardens Cemetery, as reported by KTVU television.

“Our detectives are currently following up on investigative leads (on the Memory Gardens thefts),” Roche wrote.