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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW SPECIAL REPORT: Medford Water Commission may have downplayed lead pipes, warnings of corrosion ... The Civil War lives this weekend at Hanley Farm ... Robber who wore underwear on head gets prison time ... SPECIAL REPORT: Medford Water Commission may have downplayed lead pipes, warnings of corrosion ... The Civil War lives this weekend at Hanley Farm ... Robber who wore underwear on head gets prison time ... SHELTER FOR HOMELESS Portland to close popular campsite Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jul. 15, 2016 at 6:32 PM By The Associated Press Posted Jul. 15, 2016 at 6:32 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Portland officials have asked service agencies to intensify efforts to find shelter for homeless people in anticipation of the closure of a homeless camping site. The city doesn't have enough shelter beds for the estimated 500 people living on the 21-mile Springwater Corridor, which will stop allowing camping in August, Mayor Charlie Hales told The Oregonian. "The Springwater is going to have to be off limits," said Hales. "We're going to try to accommodate homeless people in the short term here and there." The Springwater is a popular path among bicyclists, joggers and outdoor enthusiasts. But the mayor says its homeless population has damaged nature areas and caused public safety concerns for nearby residents and businesses. Police recently accused a homeless man of shooting another homeless man on the trail and firefighters extinguished a fire there on Monday. City officials will begin posting notices on the trail July 29 warning about the cleanup efforts that will begin on August 1. Portland officials said in December that they had 747 emergency beds available year-round and 361 more for winter. City and county leaders have announced more projects since. "We are going to try to make sure the places they find to sleep are the least problematic for everyone else, as possible," Hales said. "That first they go to shelter beds, whether it's the ones that the city and county provide or the ones that churches provide." If there's not a shelter available, Hales says people should camp "in small groups in places where they cause as few problems for their neighbors as possible." He says arresting people for continuing to camp along the trail will be a last resort. "Criminalizing homelessness and sending people to jail because they're camping in the wrong place is not our first, second or third choice," said Hales. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jul. 15, 2016 at 6:32 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501