The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and Milton-Freewater Police Department completed an operation on Friday to clear unauthorized encampments along the Walla Walla River.
Encampments were cleared from Cemetery Road Bridge to just north of Eastside Bridge in Milton-Freewater. The sheriff’s office said the action was undertaken following multiple complaints from citizens and landowners in the area, as well as a town hall meeting on the subject on Sept. 30. The operation began on Oct. 4 with initial contacts to notify individuals at the encampments of trespassing on private property.
“The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office is committed to treating all members of our community with dignity and empathy, including those who are unhoused,” said Lt. Josh Roberts. “Throughout this process, our teams provided clear information and multiple contacts to encourage voluntary compliance and offered resources whenever possible.”
Friday’s operation involved reaching out to three remaining individuals still camped in the area. One person, 55-year-old Aaron Matthew Lake, was taken into custody on charges of second-degree criminal trespass and depositing trash within 100 yards of waters.
