Sacramento homeless camp to be cleared out

[The Straight Story]

Sacramento homeless camp to be cleared out

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Sacramento County officials say a homeless camp near Sacramento's downtown is expected to be cleared out by Monday, but the homeless people living at the camp will have a place to go.

Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna told The Sacramento Bee that thanks to more than $35,000 worth of donations from business associations and corporations, 32 beds will be available at the Salvation Army for up to 60 days.

....

County park rangers were set to pass out fliers to the 64 residents of the camp telling them that crews will be moving in to clean up the camp.

Residents of the area have long complained about homeless camps that have sprouted up in the past in the area.


http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=122430&catid=2

[Starry Messenger]

1. What a horrible article.

It makes it sound like they are smoking out a nest of vermin. x( And where are the other 32 people supposed to go?

[badtoworse]

2. Did you read the article? There are beds for them at a Salvation Army shelter

If I were a resident in the area, homeless people setting up a camp in a public park would be not be acceptable.

[Starry Messenger]

3. Did you?

32 beds for 64 people. Do the math.

[badtoworse]

4. I'm sure the city has other shelters

In any case, setting up a camp in a public park is unacceptable

[Starry Messenger]

5. In any case, I don't care about your opinion.

Just like you don't care about the fate of the Sacramento homeless spoiling the view for the property owners. So you can spare me your outrage the next time you see my screen name. Your political orientation holds no mystery for me.

[badtoworse]

6. "spoiling the view"?

I've lived and worked in the New York City area for almost my entire life and I'm no stranger to homeless people. Substance abuse and mental health problems are very common with NYC homeless. Is there any reason to believe the same isn't true in Sacramento? Would you be comfortable having your kids playing in that park knowing that 60+ homeless people had set up a camp there? I've been harrassed many times by homeless people on NYC streets and I don't like it. Could the same thing be happening in that park? If so, do you think the local residents should have to put up with it?

How about sanitary facilities? What do you think 60+ people living in a park with little or no sanitary facilities will do to the environment? How about staying warm? Is there an alternative to open fires? What are they using for fuel? I'm sure there's enough dead wood lying around so the live trees aren't being damaged or cut down. How about litter? I'd be very surprised if the area around the camp isn't a mess. Should the local residents have to just accept that because the city isn't doing its job?

You apparently believe that the city is wrong for evicting these people and that local residents should have to put up with all the problems that a homeless camp creates. Sorry, but I don't see it that way. I believe the local residents have rights including the right to use a clean, safe park without being hasseled. The City of Sacramento should have addressed the problem a long time ago and provided a suitable homeless shelter.

BTW, I donate substantial money every year to charities that help less fortunate people and for the last 10 years, I've volunteered substantial amounts of time with a church group that does the same thing (this year, I'm the chairman). We work in homeless shelters, nursing homes and mental institutions. Can you say the same?

You know nothing about my political views other than that I believe homeless people camping in a public park is wrong. You've done nothing but make assumptions about my politics and blame the City of Sacramento for doing something they should have done a long time ago - big deal!

[Starry Messenger]

7. How nice for you!

I don't own a home or have children because I can't afford them. I live in CA. You were the one who started in on the lectures and accusations bub. I'm simply telling you I don't give a shit what you think. You can keep telling me it, but you are only revealing yourself to others over and over. Save yourself the trouble next time of clicking my reply box and you won't have to subject yourself to the unpleasantness of soliciting my opinion, k?

[Earth_First]

8. 'Associations' and 'Corporations' do not make donations to help homelessness...

more like they paid to have the eyesore 'cleaned up'

Disgusting journalism here...