Yep, the argument I've heard is that it legitimizes encampments. Additionally I suspect people are outraged by the notion that homeless people could get trash pickup for free from the city when housed people have to pay for theirs - even though it would be a lot cheaper than sweeps.

I think it’s more of a liability problem. Once the city starts garbage cleaning the city becomes exposed to liability from the encampment because it can be argued that its sanctioned now.

I imagine a conversation like:

Q: What should we do about this homeless encampment? The options are:

1. Provide it with free trash pickup so that it's a slightly nicer place to live and to be around

2. Shut it down, remove the tents as well as the trash, make the inhabitants move elsewhere

And then I would expect the "tough on crimes" crowd would prefer option #2 to option #1.

That makes more sense.

I read it as “opposed to trash pick-up in general” and then thought “who the hell would be opposed to that?”