Services offered at Juniper Ridge. This photo is from October 2023

Deschutes County Commissioners took action last year on code violations on county property in Juniper Ridge. There were unpermitted structures, excessive amounts of waste, human and otherwise and more.

Since then, the county created stations with drinking water, dumpsters, toilets and hand washing stations. It cleaned up, removing more than 75,000 pounds of trash, 466 tires and bucket after bucket of human waste.

What it didn’t do is kick people camping off the county land. That was because of many issues, including concern that there was not necessarily any other good place for the people to go.

The code violations continue on county property. They will remain while people remain living on the property. And that will remain until an alternative location or locations are set up and suitable.

What should the county do now? Where is that location or locations? That’s what commissioners will be considering this week.