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Resident raises safety and fire concerns at River Trail encampment; city staff to coordinate with water district
Summary
A resident reported repeated fires, harassment and visible homeless encampments on a parcel near the River Trail that he said is signed as Lake Elsinore Water Department property. City staff said they would coordinate with other agencies to address the site.
A Lake Elsinore resident said he finds a heavily overgrown parcel between Strickland and the River Trail where he said about 20 people were living, the site has ignited twice and residents have been harassed while biking.
Mike Gelsenor, who identified himself as a resident of Country Club Heights and said he rides the River Trail daily, told the council the parcel is marked as belonging to the Lake Elsinore Water Department. “There has to be at least 20 homeless people living in there. And they've caused fires twice. And they've harassed me a couple times,” Gelsenor said.
Gelsenor said he had raised the issue with city staff and zoning officials, who told him they could not act because, he was told, the land belongs to Riverside County. He also said the signs on site indicate Lake Elsinore Water Department ownership.
A city official responded that staff would coordinate with the relevant entities, take notes on the location and follow up. “Our city staff can coordinate with everybody and work on that land,” the staff member said.
The exchange in public comment recorded concern and a city commitment to follow up; the council took no formal action at the meeting. No timeline or specific interagency arrangement was provided during the public comment period.
