Berkeley clearing homeless camp after deadly leptospirosis outbreak linked to rats

The City of Berkeley on Tuesday said it will clear a large homeless encampment at 8th and Harrison streets after officials declared the area a fire hazard and public nuisance following a a deadly leptospirosis outbreak linked to rats. BERKELEY, Calif. - The city of Berkeley on Tuesday began clearing a large homeless encampment after officials declared the area a fire hazard and public nuisance following a deadly leptospirosis outbreak linked to rats. Notices posted on Friday informed residents that their tents, structures and other property at 8th and Harrison streets must be removed, and everyone living at the site must leave. Early Tuesday morning, police stepped in, telling residents to remove their items, which were scattered across the street. Excavators began tearing apart structures and tents, and dumping all the scattered belongings into a dump truck.

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