Major Development
The Sacramento County District
Attorney filed a lawsuit against the City of Sacramento on September 19,
2023.
The City of Sacramento has failed to enforce Measure O and
other laws regarding homeless camps.
Measure O
In 2022, the citizens of Sacramento, tired of the City's
inability to properly handle the homeless crisis, raised funds and collected
signatures in an effort to put a measure on the ballot.
This measure, which would be named Measure O, was sent to the voters in the Fall
2022 Elections.
It passed .
Officially, Measure O enacted the "Emergency Shelter and Enforcement Act of 2022".
It updated Sacramento City Code to place common-sense limits on the location
of homeless shelters and facilities, to break up illegal encampments, and
to force the City to provide a minimum number of emergency shelter spaces.
Children in Danger
On
July 26, 2022 (11 months before Measure
O became law), Sacramento City Council,
ignoring pleas from the community ,
voted to create a new homeless shelter on Auburn Blvd.
This site is located,
far from Downtown Sacramento, on a
strange peninsula of city land that locals
refer to as “The
Thorn”. In fact, the site is located over 3 miles from any city
resident and, instead, is surrounded by the residents of unincorporated Sacramento
County. In other words, the site only affects those who live outside the
City.
To make matters worse, the shelter was placed into the old
Discovery Museum
building. It is located next to several sensitive areas:
The natural preserve of Del Paso Park
A children's
playground
Arcade Creek
And - most shocking - it
is within feet of the
Children's Receiving Home .
The Shelter Violates Measure O
To protect families and communities, Measure O defines where a shelter cannot be
located. In the updated Sacramento City Code § 12.100.020.C.1, it
specifies that all homeless shelters must be: "On any
public property, except for city streets, sidewalks, or neighborhood
parks; locations within 1,000 feet of a K-12 school, public library,
licensed daycare or preschool facility, or playground; or locations
within 500 feet of a stream or river."
Of the nine prohibitions in the law, the Auburn Blvd Homeless Shelter is in violation of six.
1.
Not located on a City street
Compliant
2.
Not located on a sidewalk
Compliant
3.
Not located in a neighborhood park
Violation
4.
Not within 1,000 feet of a K-12 school
Violation
5.
Not within 1,000 feet of a public library
Compliant
6.
Not within 1,000 feet of a daycare
Violation
7.
Not within 1,000 feet of a preschool
Violation
8.
Not within 1,000 feet of a playground
Violation
9.
Not within 500 feet of a stream or river
Violation
In particular, the Homeless Shelter is located within feet of the
Children's Receiving Home - which contains a daycare, preschool, and kindergarten. It
is also located mere yards from both Arcade Creek and a nature preserve. Finally,
the Shelter is located within the boundaries of Del Paso Regional Park.
How You Can Help
Please Contribute
The
Children's Receiving Home is a refuge for abused children - providing a safe
haven from drugs, alcohol, and mental illness. Most of these children have suffered from physical, psychological, and sexual
abuse. They are in desperate need for stability, love, and safety.
We are dedicated to protecting these children as well as the families that live around Del Paso Park. We hope that the City
will abide by Measure O and find a suitable location for a City homeless
shelter. However, the City has given no indication that they will abide by
the law.
If you are interested
in contributing, please contact us at: SaveOurSuburb@outlook.com .
If you want to be called back, please include your phone number.
Donate to the Children's Receiving Home
The Children's Home is
always in need of:
Arts and Crafts: crayons, construction paper, chalk, etc..
Hygiene Products: shampoo, deodorant, hair ties, pads & tampons,
etc...
General Items: new stuffed animals, dolls, action figures,
headphones (wired), posters (inspirational and fun)
Footwear items: shower shoes, flip flops, new shoes (especially male
11-13 and female 8-10)
Gift cards (Target, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Five Below, etc....)