SW Bend neighbors irked by transients’ ‘tent city,’ trash

A resident of the Pinebrook neighborhood in southwest Bend said Thursday he and several neighbors are fed up with all the trash transients are leaving behind as a “tent city” emerges on vacant lots in the area.

Jackson Dunham said a tent city has been growing for the past few weeks, and the pile of trash left behind is increasing as well.

Dunham, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 10 years, said he’s seen new homes being built, and over time tent after tent being set up.

Dunham called it alarming, as many local kids nearby like to play in the open lot, but now the local man-made playground has become a tent city for the homeless.

“People are leery of being out here because of the (homeless) people and the amount of trash,” Dunham said.

He said there’s about 50 to 60 tents spread out on the three lots.

The three vacant lots are owned by Deschutes Properties LLC, Winco and the Oregon Department of Transportation, Deschutes County property records show.

Dunham said the transients have come into his neighborhood snooping into unlocked vehicles and taking valuable things.

ODOT Region 4 spokesman Peter Murphy said the department has received only one call about the homeless camping on state property.

Murphy said ODOT staff members went out to the property last week, checking to see if there was illegal camping.

“It’s a matter of being aware and than taking appropriate steps, not necessarily removing people but protect the public property, and that is what we’re really after,” Murphy said.

NewsChannel 21 reached out to the two companies about the camping on their property but had not received a call back Thursday.