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Madras code enforcement plans cleanup of encampments; police coordination pending
Summary
City code enforcement reported contact with five people at a private-site encampment and said a dumpster removal and cleanup are planned once parole and probation staff return; officials warned of RVs appearing in Hilltop and raised concerns about outside residents being pushed into city limits.
Madras code enforcement officials said they have contacted five people at a private-property encampment and expect to complete a cleanup once parole and probation staff return.
Dwayne Ledford, a member of the city of Madras code enforcement team, said, "We have made contact with all 5 people. We're currently staying back there. What we're waiting on to get them area completely cleaned up is parole and probation to come back online ... once they come back by the middle of next week, we'll get the dumpster taken out and be able to get that all cleaned up." He added that the people contacted were thankful and not resisting cleanup efforts.
The cleanup follows related activity behind the shelter, where an auxiliary campsite was allowed temporarily while people attended funerary arrangements. Ledford said the team will return Wednesday to remove remaining items after final transportation arrangements are made for personal property.
Why it matters: officials said the scattered encampments can shift between county and city jurisdiction, creating a "ping-pong" effect that complicates service delivery and cleanup. A city official raised concerns about a spot off King Drive and reported RVs and campers appearing in yards in Hilltop (also referred to as Hillcrest), Northeast Brown and Rye.
City staff said some people at the sites are not from city limits; Ledford said one person "claims to be from Warm Springs." Staff did not report a formal relocation plan from the people contacted.
Discussion vs. decision: the meeting was informational and there was no quorum for formal action. Code enforcement described planned operational steps (contact, temporary accommodation of family activities, coordination with parole/probation, and a scheduled return to remove a dumpster and finish cleanup). Police representatives said they will assist as staffing allows but no formal motion or vote was taken.
Officials flagged two implementation constraints: the cleanup is contingent on parole and probation staff availability, and several campers are off-city residents, which may limit the city's authority to compel relocation. The city will continue coordination with county and law enforcement partners and monitor recurring sites.
Less critical details: staff provided photos of RVs in residential yards for internal review and said some trailers appeared to have expired registration. No fines, citations or formal enforcement actions were reported at the meeting.
