Forensiclean Helps the Homeless

​​​Walking back through the brush, bramble and bushes - walking over piles of discarded clothes, used needles and forgotten clothing - David reaches the interior section of the American River Parkway abandoned campsite. The site, well hidden from the popular recreational trail, is filled with everyday home supplies - blankets, cooking supplies, broken chairs, a stroller, buckets and a backpack. Items collected over the weeks and months these campers experienced homelessness. Left behind when they left this location.

David and his fellow staff don't know what happened to them - hopefully they received the help they'd been waiting for - shelter or even housing. Now living in places they no longer need any of these forgotten items. The dangers of sharp items like needles or weapons, or hazmat situations like human waste, are just some of the hazards staff from Forensiclean encounter every day cleaning up the American River Parkway and many other regions of unincorporated Sacramento County.

Forensiclean is a family owned and operated cleaning and biohazard remediation company based out of Sacramento, California. They don't just clean up after abandoned sites - they provide valuable services to campers still living outdoors - through trash services and haul away services when needed.

The average household produces 15-30 pounds of garbage a week. Where are people supposed to put their garbage if they don't have trash bags and trash cans? Forensiclean is able to provide trash bags to campers and come back the next week to haul away the bags and restock campers with bags. They can also haul away larger items that campers are ready to part with.

"We get a bad rap - like we're taking people's things. Organizations that like to film us doing our work try to say all we do is trash people's belongings. But that isn't what we do at all," said David Meeks, Forensiclean Supervisor "We help people keep their camping area clean. We ask them what is theirs and what we can take away. The cleaner their area is, the less likely they are to be moved by PD."

Homeless camper Cory has been living on the American River Parkway about a year. He is on a housing list and is diligent about keeping his camping area clean, as well as cleaning up after others to ensure the Parkway, and nearby American River stays clean. "It is not just us, the homeless, out here leaving behind trash. College kids come and leave beer cans and stuff. If everyone would just clean up after themselves, the area would be so much better. We all need to be aware of the trash we leave behind." Cory goes on to say how much he appreciate the services Forensiclean provides. "I appreciate them bringing trash bags to us and taking our trash away - they do good work. I see them out here working to keep things clean."

The crisis of homelessness takes a toll on so many aspects of our community - the people experiencing homelessness, the environment they camp in, the neighborhoods and businesses that surround encampments,​ and the resources needed to help mitigate and serve each of these areas. Forensiclean is just one of the resources being used to help addresses the effects of homelessness in Sacramento County.