From the Daily Iowan
Wearing heavy work gloves and bright green vests, six members of the Iowa City streets division, a part of the city's Public Works Department, worked for roughly an hour Wednesday morning, cleaning the space below the Gilbert Street bridge - the former living space of an unknown number of homeless people.
In numerous shifts, the workers dragged load after load to trucks parked above the bridge. A living record of sorts was hauled out of the space, containing several mattresses, blankets, a couch, a lawn chair, a fire extinguisher, and trash bags full of plastic cups, magazines, paper scraps, and broken bottles.The belongings filled 12 large garbage bags, which, along with the furniture, packed the backs of two white trucks. The former residents were nowhere to be seen.
John Sobaski, assistant superintendent of the streets division, said the city had received a complaint on April 12 about homeless people living under the bridge. After receiving the complaint, a two-day warning was posted for those living there to take what they wanted and move on. Bridge clearings similar to this one take place roughly four times a year, or once every season.
Nearby, Iowa City police officer Denise Brotherton sat in her parked squad car, watching the progress. "I'm just here for their safety in case someone shows up," she said. "Otherwise, they handle it."
Gark note: who is really in danger? People who are without homes or city workers with police protection?
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