A group of illegal occupants living in three residential properties in Menlo Park were evicted on Thursday after the original homeowner obtained a court order and requested police assistance to enforce it.

The eviction took place on Village Road, with furniture and personal belongings moved to Palm Park.

Ward 82 councillor Siobhan Muller said the residents had long overstayed their welcome after being legally instructed to leave.

“These people hijacked three houses, and the owner got court eviction notices.

“They have had three months to vacate and chose not to. The furniture and people were removed according to a court order,” she said.

Muller added that the houses had been sublet by the owner, and those occupying them had been informed months earlier that the eviction would take place.

Brooklyn police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Antoine Botha confirmed that the eviction was initiated by the property owner, who approached the police station with the court order.

“The sheriff came to the police with the homeowner. He had a court order and requested assistance, and we accompanied them to monitor the situation,” Botha explained.

He said the occupants were not removed without notice.

“The people were informed months ago about the eviction. They were told to find alternative accommodation,” he said.

According to Botha, the court order did not state that the government or owners should arrange accommodation for the evicted people.

He said police officers were present to ensure that tensions remained under control.

Botha explained that police follows strict guidelines during evictions, focusing on maintaining order, monitoring for violence, and assisting the sheriff when requested.

Once the eviction is complete, he said police continues patrols to ensure the individuals do not return to the property.

“Police is there to maintain order. Once the eviction is done, we continue patrols to ensure they don’t go back,” he said.

Botha said he could not confirm whether the evicted group had managed to find alternative accommodation, only that they had been warned well in advance.

According to Botha, the Menlo Park eviction is not an isolated case.

Similar operations have taken place in Silverton, Sunnyside, and other areas where homes were illegally occupied.

“It happened in Silverton, Sunnyside, and several other areas,” he said.

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