ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- With last traces of snow melting away, city crews began trash cleanup efforts on Friday.

The city was notified about large amounts of trash building up on South Avenue near a homeless encampment.

“This week, we really saw our first big thaw, so we’re thinking it might have accumulated over the winter months,” said Jordan Guerrein, New York State Department of Transportation Information Officer. “We wanted to get it picked up as quickly as possible.”

Guerrein added that safety is their main concern. Crews patched up potholes as well while the road was shut down.

“We try and remove the homeless folks that are staying in these encampments to find them safe housing,” said Guerrein.