Council addresses illegal camping at town park; staff coordinate with Pickens County sheriff to remove belongings

Council members reported removing two people who had been camping illegally on the backside of the town park and said they contacted the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office to notify occupants that remaining belongings must be collected or will be disposed. A council member said the occupants included a man and a woman with two dogs and that much of their property remained near the railroad tracks and park. “We had to get law enforcement involved and get them removed,” the council member said. The council member said the sheriff’s office will reach out and give the occupants a short deadline to retrieve remaining items before disposal. Council members expressed concern about public-safety and property risks where belongings were stored near railroad tracks. Town maintenance staff told the council the park and drainage system were functioning and that town crews will continue clean-up and monitoring. The council emphasized that residents who see similar situations should notify town officials so staff can respond. The council did not take a formal ordinance or enforcement vote during the meeting; staff described the sheriff’s office outreach and town clean-up actions as administrative steps to resolve the situation.