Homeless communities in California have been living secret underground lives in caves carved into the riverbanks of the Tuolumne River in Modesto, according to police.
These astonishing underground caves, located 20 feet below street level, were not makeshift shelters; they were fully furnished living spaces with murals, makeshift fireplaces, and even chimneys.
Over the weekend, law enforcement forcibly evacuated residents from eight of the caves, not only removing the inhabitants but also hauling away more than 7,500lbs. of refuse, furniture, and personal belongings.
The caves, filled with broken floor tiles, makeshift mantelpieces, and even hazardous items like drugs and weapons, were deemed unsafe for human habitation.
The Modesto Police Department warned: “This particular area has been plagued by vagrancy and illegal camps, which have raised concerns due to the fact that these camps were actually caves dug into the riverbanks.”
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Last year’s homeless count in Los Angeles County alone revealed a staggering 75,500 individuals sleeping rough on any given night, and the state’s homeless count has risen by 70 percent in the county and 80 percent in the city since 2015.
As California grapples with a soaring homelessness crisis, exacerbated by rising crime rates and the exodus of businesses from city centers, the need for immediate and effective solutions has become increasingly urgent.
With over a third of America’s homeless people living in California, the state faces an uphill battle in addressing the challenges of housing affordability, crime, and public safety.
