‘The Beach’ focus of cleanup
A Canton Township road crew works Monday to clear an area along Catfish Creek. The area, known as “The Beach,” is a gathering spot for transients and drug users.
A wooded area along Catfish Creek in Canton Township that attracted vagrants was cleared Monday.
A Canton Township road crew worker places a branch in a wood chipper Monday while clearing an area along Catfish Creek.
For decades dating to his years as a member of the Pennsylvania State Police, Larry Maggi, who now serves as chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, said the spot known as “The Beach” in Canton Township was a problem area that attracted vagrants and other riffraff.
But the county, Canton Township officials and state police launched a concerted effort late last week to clean up the area and remove not only garbage that had accumulated but the thick brush and trees that provided a hiding area for those frequenting the spot.
“The Beach” is just off Factory Way and Meadow Avenue along Catfish Creek.
“Twenty or 30 years ago, when I was a trooper, we were investigating incidents including violent crimes,” Maggi said. “It has been a haven for transients, drug users and the homeless to congregate. It was pretty easy access for them, and they were hidden by trees and shrubs. It has been a party haven.”
Trooper Ryan Deems, who has been assigned to the Washington barracks for six years, said the area has been a problem.
“There was an assault over there during Labor Day weekend, but the victim did not want to prosecute,” Deems said. “There was a homicide back in 2009. There have been overdoses, including deaths.
“The transients hang out back there and drink alcohol and do drugs,” he added. “They leave behind a mountain of garbage, including fast food wrappers, beer cans and liquor bottles.”
Deems said arresting the violators is not the answer. He gave Maggi a tour of the area a few weeks ago.
Chris Hammett, township code enforcement officer, said he began working in February or March to determine who owns the property in the area. He said much of it is technically owned by the county because of factors such as tax liens. Hammett also got an email from Deems inquiring about cleaning up the area.
“It was really a joint effort,” Hammett said. “Everyone wanted to help.”
Workers from Fairmont Supply pulled back a cyclone fence that is around their portion of the property, giving crews easier access. People enrolled in the county’s Furlough Into Service program, a community service program for some who have pleaded guilty to minor offenses, started the cleanup last week.
“They hauled four shopping carts out of the creek and picked up lots of rubbish,” Hammett said. “They also cut down a lot of brush and trees.”
On Monday, members of the Canton road crew came in and put the accumulated brush through a chipper. When the cleanup is done, Hammett said Fairmont will replace the fence. The county’s bridge department will install another fence starting near Meadow and Factory Way, across the creek and about 150 feet along the Berthel Avenue side of the creek.
As the work continued Monday morning, a truck driver heading up Berthel slowed and gave crews a thumbs-up. Hammett said one woman who walks to work in that area also thanked them for the effort.
“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback” he said. “Although, I had one guy carrying a case of beer come by. He saw what was going on and asked, ‘Where am I supposed to go?’ They are not going to have any place to hide. And the longer fence will make it more difficult for them to get back there.”
Maggi said social service agencies including the City Mission are aware of the area.
“They are trying to help out, and I think this cleanup is a good start,” Maggi said. “We have to keep that area safe. There will be extra patrols. And they can’t hide anymore.”