Full Notification

On 07/30/2020 the City of Pomona Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART) responded to the area between the 57 freeway and the 2800 block of Pomona Blvd after receiving complaints of a large transient encampment.  The complaint also indicated that there were sounds of gunshots during the nighttime hours and a BBQ was being used along the hillside.

The Team located the encampment near a storm drain on CalTrans property near the old Spadra Cemetery.  This is the same area that caught fire earlier in the year.  Due to the high fire danger, the encampment was removed.  During the removal a shotgun and several boxes of ammunition were located in the encampment.  There was also evidence that the firearm had recently been discharged in the area.  The person(s) responsible for the encampment have not yet been identified and the investigation is ongoing.

The City of Pomona is working with CalTrans to remove the remaining debris and better secure the area.

This is the second firearm recovered from a transient encampment in the last two weeks.  On 07/23/2020 a sawed off shotgun was recovered from an encampment during a criminal investigation.  That investigation is still ongoing.

The HEART Unit consists of officers from the Pomona Police Department and employees from the City of Pomona Public Works Department.  The unit utilizes the co-response model to remove homeless encampments and store the personal property of the homeless subjects.  Encampments are removed from city property in high fire areas and areas deemed to be a public hazard.

If you are having a homeless related issue and need the assistance of the HEART Unit, please send an email request to [email protected].

Prepared by:

Brad Paulson
Sergeant, Pomona Police Department
Quality of Life Unit