Washington, D.C. (ABC7) — Homeless encampments on K Street Northeast will be permanently cleared this month by the District of Columbia.
The announcement was posted on signs in the area over the weekend stating that "all property blocking this sidewalk is subject to immediate removal and disposal."
Tuesday morning, three garbage trucks shut down a portion of the street under the bridge in NoMa to begin the removal process by clearing trash and tents.
According to activists, there are dozens of people who live in tents under the bridge which parallels L and M street - also home to several encampments.
But - the removal will only take place on K Street as of now.
Four months ago, an open letter by the NoMa Business Improvement District stated that the volume of complaints about the homeless encampments were increasing.
The letter stated they have become a safety issue for pedestrians traveling along K Street NE. "Used and bloody hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia, rotting food, trash, broken glass, public nudity, prostitution, sales of illegal drugs, and human urine and feces are encountered by those whose routes take them by the encampments and pervade the space in which encamped individuals are living."
The Deputy Mayor's office says permanent removal is still in place for K Street because of the amount of complaints from residents who live in the area.