Homeless individuals given 72 hours to leave Cincinatti camp

CINCINNATI (AP) — City officials have given homeless individuals 72 hours to vacate a downtown encampment in Cincinnati, citing health and safety issues.

About 40 people were handed notices Monday morning that said officials will close the site located under an overpass. Residents have until Thursday morning to gather their belongings and leave, before officials begin to sanitize the area Friday.

Acting City Manager Patrick Duhaney says crews will remove hazardous items such as makeshift bathrooms, contaminated syringes and soiled mattresses. A notice posted says any remaining items will be considered abandoned.

Officials will then block off the area. The current plan is to add fencing, lighting and other landscaping to permanently prevent people from returning.

Duhaney adds that city officials are working with social services to find temporary housing for those displaced.