KTXL

A dozen Sacramento police officers descended today on an empty downtown lot that became a tent city for the homeless. They told the 150 campers that had settled there over the weekend that they had to leave or be arrested. The campers were warned several times to move after complaints by an owner of the lot and nearby businesses.

Homeless advocates were convinced that the lot was designated as an emergency homeless shelter. But police say they were trespassing.. A coalition of homeless agencies said they were trying to purchase the property so the homeless could stay. But police say it wouldn't matter because camping in public areas is illegal in the city.

While several of the homeless residents shouted "Hell no, we won't go," others quietly gathered their belongings and left. Others sat outside the fenced off lot, lamenting the fact that they had nowhere else to go. Police officials at times expressed frustration, acknowledging that there isn't a place that the homeless could spend the night legally. They said they normally only respond to complaints, but at the same time said camping was not allowed.