200 Pounds of Human Waste Removed Near Occupy Camp

By Jason Hoppin and Stephen Baxter, Mercury News

SANTA CRUZ - County officials this week released a list of 93 complaints of disruptive and illegal behavior near the county's main offices and courthouse, adjacent to the Occupy Santa Cruz camp.

Since the camp was joined by dozens of tents that belong to the homeless, county workers and others have documented drug and alcohol use, public urination and defecation, littering, bathing in county restrooms, fights and more. Two pieces of artwork on display at the county building were vandalized - although county officials said it is not known who was responsible for it.

At least one incident on the county list wasn't noted by the Sheriff's Office: the discovery of an estimated 200 pounds of human feces near the county Veterans Memorial Building, just across the Water Street bridge from the camp.

The county called in a hazardous materials team to clean up the mess, and installed a security fence around the building, which is closed for renovations. There is no evidence that linked the excrement to the camp.