Cleaning up Struve Slough in Watsonville to prevent drug abuse
UPDATED: 2/29/2016 6:13 PM: Drug abuse is on the rise according to city officials in Watsonville. Monday crews were working on a clean-up project, an effort to clear out areas trashed by drug use. It’s all part of the Wetlands Watch project. Over the past couple days crews have been clearing out trees, brush and other items they found in areas where drug users are known to be. Crew workers said there are people that live down in the Watsonville Slough. Those same crew members also said they fill up truckloads of trash from the people living their every month.
They find things like, grocery carts, baby strollers, drug paraphernalia, and lots of trash. Those same items are also found at Struve Slough. People who walk the trail said they watch their step near the brush area.
“There’s been a couple incidents where some females didn’t feel safe walking out here because they were not physically attacked but verbally attacked,” said Watsonville resident, Milia Cordova.
That’s one reason why Councilman Jimmy Dutra said something had to be done. The city put up a notice that said they would be clearing out the area from February 22 to March 11 of this year.
“People have cut holes in the fences here and they’ve been having access to trees which have been providing shelter and hiding places for people to do drugs and do a lot of misconduct,” said Councilman Jimmy Dutra.
Most makeshift shelters had been cut down by Wetlands Watch crews. You can still find a couple of mattresses still there. There is still some debris and trash left behind, some of which could spark a fire. Just last week a eucalyptus tree near Main Street collapsed after a fire started in the area. City officials believe the fire started from the people that live in the slough.
On Monday, some transients were on the move again as city crews pulled up to clean out Watsonville Slough.
“Currently we’re conducting extra checks as we always do and if we get calls for service we continuously go out there and check for illegal activity,” said Watsonville Detective, Elizabeth Sousa.
The councilman is also looking into having a mural painted on the Struve Slough’s wall to brighten up the area. Cordova said she’s already noticed a big difference in the clean-up.
“It’s nice that I don’t have to walk out here with my pepper spray,” said Cordova.
The city said this is just the first of many clean-up projects planned for Watsonville. They also said there are homeless shelters in the area that will take in transients even if they’re not sober.
PREVIOUS STORY:
Watsonville city leaders and volunteers are teaming up with Wetlands Watch to trim back the trees and bushes along Struve Slough to prevent drug activity.
City leaders say there are serious issues in the area with chronic drug abuse.
Those involved in the project are considering the creation of a mural to beautify the area as well. KION’s Brandon Castillo will have more on this story tonight.
