EUREKA, Calif. — After a group of citizens protested against Pacific Outfitters’ Green Team last week, Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel is defending the volunteer cleanup organization.
In a statement released Thursday by Bergel, she wrote in part, “I am shocked and bewildered by the recent attacks by community members on this incredibly valuable program.”
“I felt compelled to write something because I’ve worked with PacOut Green Team probably the last eight or nine years—maybe even longer. I’ve done cleanups with them and I’ve always seen them to be, even with their volunteers, professional. They leave people alone,” Bergel said.
The team was facing backlash based on what Bergel called a “misnomer” that the team is disturbing homeless camps by conducting trash cleanups where they are located. But, according to PacOut, the team has strict rules against throwing out any personal belongings of people who may be occupying a space where they are cleaning.
“As far as PacOut, they clean up,” Bergel said. “They are a team of people that get together, clean up the environment, have a great time and feel good after an hour and a half.”
Bergel went on further to note that the cleanups are well-coordinated between the city, the police department and the Community Services Department, and that notifications are always provided 72 hours in advance to all campers before a cleanup.
“I don’t think vilifying a community group that goes out and cleans up trash is the way to get where we want to go,” Bergel said.
