FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - The Fresno encampment ordinance that prohibits sitting, lying, or camping in public places went into effect almost one month ago.  Fresno city officials say this ordinance allows police to remove people camping near schools, parks, and neighborhoods. Since Sept. 23, Fresno’s Homeless Assistance Response Team (HART) has made contact with nearly 500 homeless people.  Fresno Interim Chief Mindy Casto says they have arrested almost 140 people out of that 500. “But almost 50 of those had other charges, warrants for other things unrelated to the anti-camping ordinance,” Casto said. While the decision came with backlash from the homeless population and their advocates, Casto says they’ve seen improvement. “A little bit more compliance, a little bit less of a mess on the street, so to speak, through their efforts," she said. Along with the ordinance, Mayor Jerry Dyer announced the Treatment First Program.  Under this program, homeless people facing jail time or fines could have their charges dropped if they accepted help and completed the program.  However, Casto doesn't see many people taking advantage of this assistance. “Right now, we're only seeing about 3.5% of the individuals we encounter accepted diversion services for substance abuse, and over all the people we've contacted year to date, which is almost 5000 unhoused individuals, only about 6.3% of those are accepting services,” Casto said. While, the HART team has been focusing on areas, like schools, neighborhoods, and parks, there’s still a lot of work to be done. “It's certainly not an overnight fix, an arrest isn't the solution, but it is a part of the solution to help motivate people to get the help they need,” she said. YourCentralValley.com also reached out to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, they say they have not arrested anyone for violating the county’s encampment ordinance.