Carbon County officials are urging the public to stay away from county-owned land that has come to be known as Tent City, an encampment for homeless people.

On Thursday, Commissioners’ Chairman Michael Sofranko said that the county is continuing the process of cleaning up that area and asking the people living there to find other accommodations. The site is located near the Lehigh River between Weissport and Lehighton.

The county sheriff’s office has been working to get the information out that the land cannot be lived on, and is going through the process that needs to be completed.

The land has already been posted as “No Trespassing” and the entrance has been gated and chained.

Sofranko said some people have packed up and moved on, found other homes and applied for jobs so it appears that the site is getting smaller.

Sofranko also said for the safety of the sheriff’s department and all those involved in the relocations, the date of closing Tent City will not be disclosed due to threats being made against the sheriff’s department.

“We don’t want to put law enforcement or anyone in harm’s way,” he said.

Carbon County has a homeless task force that has started meeting again to discuss options for helping the homeless in the county; however, Sofranko said there is only so much outreach available and it is up to the person whether they want the help that is offered.

Last month, Carbon County officials made the first move to close Tent City, citing major issues that affect the residents that live around that area.

At the time, Sofranko said it was a liability to the county.

Since then, the county has been working with other agencies to help those living in the encampment while trying to also help the residents around the area.

Two people died in Tent City so far this year.