Encampment in Anigua cleared after concerns from residents

For the past few years a homeless encampment in Anigua drew concerns from property owners and surrounding businesses. 

This morning, Government of Guam agencies including the Department of Parks and Recreation, Dept. of Public Works and the Office Of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention were on site to clear the area but also assist.

A homeless encampment set up on the beachside in Anigua has grown over the past few years. property owner Louis Liu,

“Before it was a small group, they build a shack, especially over the weekends, a lot of people come here and have parties- it's like a hot spot but when they're finished, they leave a lot of trash, beer bottles, and we have to take a lot of time to clean it up,” said Liu.

With the encampment continuing to get bigger, safety concerns by surrounding businesses, neighbors, and those who jog and walk along the shore grew as well. 

Liu reached out to the Department of Parks and Recreation and Park Police for assistance. 

DPR deputy director Warren Pelletier said continued efforts today are part of the islandwide beautification task force.

“Our effort here is to help clean up the encampment here that has been a nuisance to some of the residents here. We're moving on here and trying to help them, the homeless, get the help they need and also clean up the beach for owners that are complaining- they're just doing a lot of stuff here, a lot of it can be illegal so we're just trying to help keep Guam clean,” said Pelletier.

Eviction notices were posted on site for individuals to leave the premises by July 17.

Early Friday morning, Park Police, Department Of Public Works, Dept. of Corrections, and Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention were beachside at the encampment.

“We put together a game plan and Col. Terlaje, along with the director, and the Lt. Governor of Guam and we proceeded today is the day we're gonna do it. We were gonna do it before the parade but we decided not to,” he added. 

The goal is to not shoo them away but to help in any way they could whether it be shelter, job opportunities, or connecting them with their families.

“I just want to bring light to the local people- please reach out to some of these people. They have family here. there's houses for them and please put them up. I know they may not want to live with the rules established at home, but they have a home here so let's help them out . It's not just the government's responsibility but also the family to help them get back on their feet,” he said. 

Watching the agencies clear up the area, Liu is optimistic.

“We're very happy that it's finally clean. What we'll do is we'll maintain this place, we'll cut the grass, and make this land beautiful again,” said Liu.