GPD officers help extinguish brush fire that started at encampment
Staff report from GPD release
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gainesville Police Department officers helped extinguish a brush fire this morning that started in an encampment.
At about 9:18 a.m. on May 20, officers discovered a small but rapidly growing brush fire near NE Waldo Road and NE 39th Avenue that started from a campfire.
While waiting for Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) to arrive, officers used fire extinguishers in an effort to contain the flames. Once GFR arrived on scene, firefighters quickly brought the fire under control and extinguished it.
Gainesville is still under a burn ban and continues to experience extreme drought conditions. Over the past 12 months, our area has received nearly 20 inches less rainfall than normal.
Officials urge residents to use caution and avoid any outdoor burning. Even a small spark can quickly lead to a dangerous fire.
Thankful for GPD officers that have common sense. It is very unfortunate that the commissioners tie their hands in dealing with the the panhandlers and homeless. These people will burn our town down.
What is the difference between an “encampment” and a normal old-fashioned campsite?
Looks like we found all the missing shopping carts! Wait! There are no stores in that neighborhood. Where did all the carts come from?
Those who started the fire should be arrested for arson.
You noticed that too, how they just kind of glossed over any mention of punishment for illegally camping or illegally starting a fire during a burn ban?
If a “resident” (guess we only say “neighbor” when we are giving out free stuff to the homeless) started a fire in their neighborhood, something tells me they wouldn’t be let off so lightly.
@Gainesville Dad. Residents are held accountable because the county and city can get money from them. That’s why residents have to pay. The “neighbors” are not held accountable because nobody’s gonna get money from the “neighbors”. Once again, taxpayers have to pick up the slack while the “neighbors” burn the place down. We still have geniuses over here in my neighborhood BURNING TREATED WOOD! 😡
the carts just walk away frm the store’s i saw a walmart handi cap cart one time down 39th almst to 15th st
Going as planned by the ACLUSPLCDNC Party: to distract and tie up the cops with “social work” so they aren’t fighting other crimes.
👺👿👹🤡💩
Wow, the same intersection where the homeless are illegally panhandling every weekday, all day long? They were extra active this morning, lurching into the bike lane while traffic was going by.
Maybe since we are doing a cultural exchange with the police putting out fires, a couple firefighters can stop by and enforce the law by arresting the junkies?
Sad to see that the good old yellow shopping cart that junkies have been using all over town finally bit the dust. That was one of the first props that local NGO “GRACE Marketplace” provided to their gang of organized beggars.
Yup, there are beggars all of the time at 39th and Waldo. I don’t blame drivers for not wanting to stop so they try to beat the red light. But instead of cleaning up this intersection Gainesville decided they’ll put traffic cameras here to fine people who don’t want to wait next to a potentially dangerous “neighbor”.
Aren’t there state laws specifically targeting store cart theft?
Close Grace Marketplace.
The fire 🔥 could have started from a tossed cigarette 🚬 butt…
those homeless toss em everywhere…
Officers 👮♀️, can you get those panhandling bums out of the medians on 39th & Waldo?
why aren’t you doing your jobs?
What they are doing is illegal and they’re littering…
… stop 🛑 crime in its place!
Those cops did a great job…they should be put on bum encampment patrol!
We should defund Grace if we see one illegal encampment or cigarette 🚬tossing bum in an intersection panhandling while we are having this burn 🔥 ban!
Deputize the fireman 👨🚒 too and give the vagrants free housing at the jail and then let them out on work release…
They just need some love and structure to get them back on their feet…
Don’t give a bum a fish, teach him how to fish..
Personal responsibility is the key! 🔑
Would someone PLEASE PICK UP THE FLAG !!!???
Yeah, it could have been an illegal mask wearing antifa fascist encampment with that flag on the ground..
Or maybe illegal alien encampment…
maybe ICE should check ID’s at Grace and in the woods of Alachua county..
Do you know how to dispose of a US flag properly?
Some genius in our neighborhood keeps burning treated wood! I know because I can smell the chemicals! But, we’re not allowed to report if we only smell smoke. We can only report if we see flames, apparently? I guess we just have to wait until our neighborhood burns down.