Homeless encampment removed under Clemens Center Bridge; possible arrests coming

ELMIRA, N.Y. ( WETM ) — A bucket loader was seen taking load after load of items and other debris from under the Clemens Center Bridge Monday morning, as Elmira Police said that arrests could be made in the future.

According to an 18 News Reporter at the scene, the south end of the Clemens Center Bridge was surrounded by workers from T&R Environmental, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the New York State Police on Monday, July 8, as a cleanup was underway.

Crews worked as yet another homeless encampment was removed from beneath the bridge after the city spent nearly $6,000 in 2023 doing a similar act clearing out seven tons of material from the underpasses.

The price tag for the cleanup on Monday is unknown, but Elmira Police told 18 News that if people are found under the bridges again they could be subject to arrest.

What the people would be charged with is currently unknown, after Elmira Code Enforcement told 18 News in July 2023 that the undersides of the bridges are in a flood plain, and belong to the DEC, and is the department’s responsibility to clear things out under there.

In the same report from July 2023, volunteers who helped clean out the homeless encampments and provide food and water to the people said they’ve seen a growing number of camps in the city.

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