Fresno County's ideas to address homeless encampments more aggressively, post-Grant's Pass, spark debate
While County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg calls Gov. Newsom's request for SCC to get more serious about addressing unsafe encampments "not helpful," some Fresno County pols disagree, and start to debate more vigorous plans. Thaddeus Miller reports for the excellent Fresno Bee.
Camping, blocking sidewalks and other activities common among people who live on the street would be banned under newly authored legislation presented Thursday by Fresno County Supervisor Steve Brandau.
The ordinance will go before the Fresno County Board of Supervisors for consideration during the next scheduled meeting on Aug. 6, according to Brandau.
He noted the county spends a significant amount of money on homelessness-related efforts. The county has had about $100 million to spend on efforts during the past three years, according to the state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention agency.
“Just as important, if not more important, is all of the rest of us that have sent the message to government and are tired of stepping over people and trash on their way to do their shopping,” Brandau said Thursday at a news conference introducing his ordinance. “Mothers who have to send their children to school and possibly have encounters with campers and folks out along the way.”
The public introduction in Fresno came the same day that Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies to begin sweeping homeless encampments on public property, using newfound authority after the U.S. Supreme Court’s OK last month. Under the new order, state agencies are still urged to partner with local governments to facilitate shelter and other supportive services before removing encampments.
Brandau said Thursday he learned about the Newsom order on the morning news like anyone else — though he welcomed it. Brandau was the author of an ordinance during his time as the northwest district representative of the Fresno City Council not unlike the one he is proposing.
He also included local business leaders in his news conference Thursday, including Nick Rocca, the incoming chairperson of the board for the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. He said his board supports the proposal. “They’re (the board) compassionate for the people that are going through what they’re going through, but they know that doing nothing is not an answer,” he said.
Under the proposed ordinance, anyone camping in public areas in unincorporated communities or county pockets within Fresno could face a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. Brandau stressed fines and jail time were a last resort, but were necessary even if all of the county’s shelter beds were full.
“It’s not the responsibility of government to have a bed for every single person. There is no way that we have the resources to do that,” Brandau said. “And so the answer is: Yes, we’re still — whether we have a bed or not — we’re still going to tell the person that’s sprawled out in front of the school, on the sidewalk at the business, we’re gonna still tell them you can’t stay here.” Sheriff John Zanoni echoed the idea, saying deputies will offer unhoused people opportunities for mental and behavioral health services as well connect them to county agencies or nonprofits who provide housing.
“As far as the impact on the sheriff’s office, there will be some impact. I believe it will be minimal,” he said. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office civil unit is already in charge of most evictions in public or private properties throughout the county, including encampments on private property within cities, he said.
The news conference Thursday at times became combative as advocates for people who are homeless attended and asked questions, and at times shouted over Brandau. Homeless advocate Dez Martinez said the county leadership was being disingenuous, because there aren’t enough beds to support the need. Particularly for those who need the greatest amount of mental health services. The county offers 34 of those beds.
County officials noted that there are more beds available, but they are split up by needs. For example, there are 180 behavioral health beds and 400 permanent supportive housing units, to name a couple of designations. About 4,200 people were experiencing homelessness in the last 2023 tally in Fresno and Madera counties, which share a Continuum of Care.
Cindy Piombino of Fresno Homeless Union said the ordinance was more of the same, adding elected leaders are more interested in moving the unhoused around than solving the problem. “We have no affordable housing in Fresno. Everybody knows that. We’re way behind on building our housing,” she told The Bee after the news conference. “So there’s nowhere to go and your shelter beds are full.” In 2017, Brandau was asked by The Bee about the criticism that his homeless ordinance would just move unhoused folks around without necessarily getting them off the street. “If some of them wanted to move to Oildale (near Bakersfield in Kern County), I’m fine with that,” Brandau said in 2017.
On Thursday, Brandau told The Bee his ordinance was not aimed at shooing the unhoused out of Fresno and into neighboring counties. He said the county and sheriff’s deputies — under his ordinance if it passes — would have a recourse when a person they’ve repeatedly interacted with on the street refuses to agree to take services. “I think that the best that we can offer at all times is that opportunity. We’re offering opportunity,” Brandau told The Bee. “We get rejected, we offer opportunity, but at least in this case they can’t look us in the eye and say you can’t do anything about me camping here.”
What else would be prohibited under the Fresno ordinance: Day or night camping without a permit. Obstruction of youth facilities like parks and schools. Obstruction of fire or transportation infrastructure like hydrants, emergency exits, overpasses, freeway ramps and railways. Using a fountain or other public water features for bathing. Public defecation and urination on property other than a restroom. The Sacramento Bee contributed to this report.
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