Authorities Begin Shutting Down Homeless Camp in Indio

Tents, makeshift dwellings and an old camper sit on Indian owned land just off Indio Boulevard in Indio.

Catherine Davis says she’s lived on the property for four years, and more recently, moved into the camper.

“I am feeling a lot of pain because I don’t know where I’m going to go. I don’t know where they are going to go, this is too hard,” said Davis.

Davis is one of dozens of homeless people living at the site.

A few weeks ago they got served official notice they have to leave.

The nearly 7 acre lot is owned by the Federal Government and alloted to members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

An official with the Bureau of Indian Affairs says the tribe wants to develop the land.

“The goal is to get this property on a lease in order to create a benefit for the community,” said Kevin Bearquiver, Deputy Regional Director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Right now there are about 30 people living at the encampment, and Bearquiver says they’ll have about two weeks to get off the property.

The homeless site sits behind a gas station and other businesses owned by Haki Dervishi.

Dervishi and his wife went out of their way to help the homeless people by opening up bathrooms to them, setting up a patio area, and even opening a small medical clinic in their building.

“It is what you do for others that counts in the end, not what we do for ourselves. This was the way for me to help as much as I could,” said Dervishi.

The activity Monday morning was the first step in the eviction process, and representatives for the agencies involved say they’re trying to take a humane and patient approach in clearing the lot.

The Salvation Army will provide food and drinks, and the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission says everyone living at the site is welcome to spend nights at the Mission.

“They did not want help originally. But, I think they see they need help, so maybe they’ll come back and ask and we can help them out,” said David Williard, Men’s Assistant at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.

Despite the offers of help, it is not easy for some people to leave the place they call home.

“This is hard for all of us. We are like family. We fight sometimes, but we’re family,” said Davis.

The official with the Bureau of Indian Affairs says their plan is put a new 6 foot high fence around the lot within 30 days, and then eventually lease out the property.