Homeless asked to leave

A group of homeless squatting in an overgrown field along East Second Street were asked to leave the private property after an article on the tent encampment appeared in the Odessa American.

The property owner’s son, Manuel Gonzalez, knew drifters cut through the property, but he was unaware that some had set up tents and created a living community hidden from plain sight behind a tin fence on the property.

Gonzalez was warned, he said, that he faces city code violations and fines if the men and women remained on the overgrown land, including fire code violations because the homeless living there started fires for warmth.

Gonzalez met the homeless with police officers and told them that he understands their situation, and he feels from them, but he can’t afford any-thing happening to them there, Gonzalez said Thursday.

The men and women understood, Gonzalez said, and were given until Monday to move off the private land.

The homeless do have temporary living options in the city, including the Door of Hope Mission and the Salvation Army.