Eyewitness accounts said between 30 and 50 people were removed by Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers on Wednesday morning around 7 a.m.
On Thursday morning, Oklahoma Highway Patrol told KGOU 17 individuals were arrested for illegally camping on state property and were taken to the Cleveland County jail.
A cleaning crew equipped with backhoes cleared out and threw away personal belongings on state property.
Norman Animal Welfare was also present. While initial accounts said dogs were taken from the area, a spokesperson with the Norman Police Department told KGOU the agency was on standby and did not take any animals during the enforcement.
Director of shelter services at Norman nonprofit Food and Shelter Emily Wilkinson said like with previous sweeps carried out by state troopers, they were not given any prior notice.
"The difference this time is it’s a bigger operation. They had a paddy wagon, they’re taking their dogs, and they let them grab nothing this time. They let them grab no belongings this time at all," Wilkinson said.
This comes as Republican Senator Lisa Standridge of Norman has called on Governor Kevin Stitt to continue Operation SAFE sweeps in the city.
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