The Santa Clara Valley Water District, which owns two properties in Gilroy that have turned into the largest homeless encampment sites in the city, is trying to clear out the sites by the first week of November.

One of the sites is near Tomkins Court, just west of U.S. Highway 101 and east of Monterey Road. Valley Water Assistant Officer Mark Bilski said environmental and safety concerns, including interactions between unhoused residents and district staffers, are compelling the district to strictly enforce a 2023 city ordinance prohibiting outdoor camping in certain areas, such as schools and parks.

"We look to prioritize the worst environmental and safety impacts and address those, and anybody else who was exhibiting good camping behavior had an opportunity to be considered low-priorit

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