Ohio deputies clear courthouse of homeless

CINCINNATI (AP) — Homeless people who routinely sleep at the Hamilton County Courthouse were cleared off steps and benches early today as the sheriff followed through on a plan he announced weeks ago to stop the practice.

A federal judge on Thursday denied a request in a lawsuit filed by four homeless men for an order to block any arrests when the sheriff puts his plan into place.

Sheriff’s department spokesman Jim Knapp told The Associated Press “very few” homeless people were at the courthouse plaza when deputies arrived overnight and no one was arrested. He said deputies encountered no problems.

“We just told them to move on, and they did,” Knapp said.

Sheriff Jim Neil announced weeks ago that while he is sympathetic with those who have no place to live, he would eventually end the practice of people sleeping outside the courthouse. He cited a public health hazard from the messes left and also said there had been damage to the courthouse.

“It was time,” Knapp said, adding that the county will launch a project for cleanup and repairs at the courthouse. No trespassing signs had been posted earlier.