Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Jeff Cryder
File # T241150018 / HT241150001
Details:
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Riverside Sheriff’s Palm Desert Station’s Business District Team and Special Enforcement Team, in collaboration with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Team, Union Pacific Railroad Police, and Cal Fire, responded to the railroad property along the south side of Interstate 10 between Bob Hope Drive and Washington Street, Palm Desert, after posting 2-day notices to “vacate the premises.” This operation was conducted due to safety concerns from Union Pacific and the close proximity of encampments and subjects to the railroad tracks.
Personnel from the listed agencies planned this safety operation to clean up a buildup of refuse and arrest individuals who refused to leave the railroad property. Deputies walked the length of both sides of the railroad tracks and contacted 12 individuals living on or near the tracks. As the individuals were contacted, cleanup crews responded and removed approximately 20 encampments. Five of the individuals contacted were arrested and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for various charges.
If you have any questions about this operation, please contact Sergeant Jeff Cryder from the Palm Desert Station at (760) 836–1600 or Sr. Special Agent Christopher Cazarez from the Union Pacific Railroad Police at (888) 877–7267.
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