Police Chief Bill Scott appears to be taking to heart the mayor’s call to keep large homeless camps from sprouting back up on the streets of San Francisco.

On Wednesday, Scott and Lt. Tad Yamaguchi were returning to police headquarters from a meeting at City Hall when they noticed six men setting up an encampment at the corner of Alameda and San Bruno at Showplace Square, an area that until recently was overrun by dozens of tents.

Scott and Yamaguchi pulled over, searched the bicycles for any registration (none of the bikes were registered) and asked the group of men if they wanted to go to a Navigation Center or other shelter or meet with a social worker.

The men refused the offer of help — they didn’t like the police attention either — and eventually picked up and left. Whatever they left behind was soon gone, because we’re told Public Works came out and cleaned the area up.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross