During an initial sweep in an unincorporated area, deputies removed over 5,000 pounds of garbage and debris.
To address homeless encampments, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors passed a county code amendment on Nov. 5 that prohibits public camping.
It also bars camping within 1,000 feet of shelters providing services to homeless individuals.
The department mentioned that out of the 10 individuals contacted at the camps, six received assistance and resource information, while one was arrested on a felony warrant.
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The new law emphasizes the county’s responsibility to safeguard lives and infrastructure, enhancing its capacity to provide emergency shelters, the statement indicated.
The rise in homelessness within the unincorporated area of Sacramento County, due to inadequate housing options, has led to an increase in encampments, as outlined in the ordinance.
These encampments typically consist of tents, makeshift structures, sleeping bags, and may include vehicles, trailers, campers, or recreational vehicles.
According to the ordinance, encampments in certain areas pose risks to the health, safety, and well-being of both residents and the community at large, given the damage to public property, fire hazards, unsanitary conditions, and environmental harm.
Supervisors Rich Desmond and Pat Hume introduced the amendment as a safety measure.
Desmond stated, “My priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our neighborhoods and businesses. This amendment to prohibit unlawful camping on public property is not about punishing those experiencing homelessness; rather, it’s about creating a supportive environment for all community members.”
Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies began removing homeless camps on Nov. 7, 2024, after county supervisors banned them. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office
The county’s homeless population has grown to 6,615 in 2024. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office
The camping ban was initially discussed at the county’s Oct. 22 meeting. Desmond assured other supervisors in October that he consulted with the sheriff and district attorney to ensure compliance with the law.
He emphasized the need for the county to find a balance to address homelessness challenges while maintaining safety in public spaces.
Hume stated that the ordinance aims to benefit everyone.
“It’s essential that our trails, medians, county highways, and public buildings are well-maintained for the health and enjoyment of all residents,” Hume said.
Sacramento County allocates over $220 million annually to programs, services, and homelessness solutions.
Niki Jones, executive director of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness, wrote on the organization’s website that policies increasing police interactions lead to discriminatory policing and disproportionately impact the black unhoused community and other communities of color.
Jones highlighted the physical and mental distress caused by these policies as “incalculable.”
“This is morally repugnant as well as ineffective at reducing homelessness, simply removing unhoused communities from sight, rather than a focus on long term support on the pathway to housing,” Jones added.
The survey also revealed that around 42 percent of the homeless individuals, totaling 2,788, had serious mental illnesses.
About 45 percent of the county’s homeless population were chronically homeless, with 17 percent being families with children and 8 percent being veterans, according to the latest report.
The county is progressing with an affordable housing project to accommodate individuals seeking to transition out of homelessness.
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