Noor Haghighi
Layers of caution tape wrap around Santa Rita Park on Sept. 25. City officials cleared the park at 6 a.m. and provided warning with flyers prior.
The City of Tucson cleared out one of Tucson’s largest homeless encampments at Santa Rita Park on the south side at 6 a.m. the morning of Sept. 25. Dozens of people lived in the park, and hundreds used it daily for shade before it was caution-taped and they were forced to occupy the sidewalks or flee. Warnings circled online and flyers were postered around the park which read in part, “This area needs to be abated to preserve public health, safety, or welfare at a City of Tucson Park. You are hereby notified that you must remove all of your personal items and VACATE THE PROPERTY. This park will be closed for cleaning effective September 25, 2024 8:00 A.M.” The Tucson City Council had planned to discuss a code amendment regarding camping in washes and watercourses, but canceled the item for tonight’s meeting.