HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-08; Suspension of Homeless Encampment Cleanups; Gallucci, NeilTo the membe:rs·of the:
CITY coJN'c1L
Date t-R-21 CA ,/ CC V
CM-~-✓DCM (3) ✓
Jan. 8, 2021
To:
From:
Via:
Re:
Council Memorandum
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Neil Gallucci, Chief of Police c-;;;
Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager ~.,
Suspension of Homeless Encampment Cleanups
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2021007
This memorandum provides information related to the suspension of homeless encampment
cleanups.
Background
The Police Department has suspended all encampment cleanups for individuals experiencing
homelessness on public property in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in
March 2020.
The city is adhering to the guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) on homeless encampments (Attachment A). The CDC provided the
recommended guidelines in March, which stated that individuals should "shelter in place" and
"remain where they are" to prevent community spread and transmission. Public Health Experts
encouraged those staying in encampments to set up their tents or sleeping quarters at least 12
feet x 12 feet away from another individual. They also encouraged the placement of hand
washing stations and portable restrooms near encampments to improve sanitation and hygiene.
These recommendations were in an effort to reduce the community spread of COVID-19.
These guidelines are the same standards set forth by the State of California (Attachment B) which
recommends "unless individual housing units are available communities should not be clearing
encampments and dispersing people throughout the community."
The Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) in the City of Carlsbad is actively engaging individuals
residing in encampments, but officers are not removing any encampments. If there is excessive
trash or debris, the HOT will partner with Urban Corps, the city's abandoned items and litter
removal services contract provider, and clean up the identified area. This course of action is
aligned with Carlsbad's neighboring cities of Oceanside, Vista, and Encinitas.
A Council Memorandum sent from the City Attorney's Office in September 2020 stated in part:
"Since the advent of the COV/D-19 pandemic in March 2020, police officers and Cole Library staff
have observed numerous homeless encampments in the rear (west side) of Cole Library on a daily
Police Department
2560 Orion Way I Carlsbad, CA 92010 I 760-931-2197
Council Memo -Suspension of Homeless Encampment Cleanups
Jan.8,2021
Page 2
basis, during both daytime and nighttime hours (see Exhibits 1A-1D}. This coincides with the
Carlsbad Police Department's policy determination, in line with CDC guidelines, to suspend all
municipal unlawful camping citations and the cleanup of all homeless encampments in the city,
so as not to displace persons experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast
majority of local jurisdictions have followed this same practice, although some jurisdictions are
now beginning to resume homeless encampment cleanups. Notwithstanding this suspension of
encampment cleanups and camping citations, HOT has actively engaged with the homeless
population outside of Cole Library and throughout the city in an effort to provide services and
housing placements."
The City Council was also advised of the Police Department's suspension ·of encampment
cleanups during the April 21, 2020, City Council Meeting, through a Council Memorandum
regarding the Regional Task Force on Homelessness Intergovernmental Meeting on July 22, 2020,
and in response to a council inquiry sent on Dec. 7, 2020, regarding a homeless complaint.
Discussion
The Police Department still enforces trespassing on private property, and HOT will continue to
monitor the encampments within the city and make efforts to provide resources to homeless
individuals, to include offering emergency shelter options at Haven House, La Posada, and
Operation Hope, and substance abuse treatments, both inpatient and outpatient services,
through McAlister and Interfaith Community Services Recovery and Wellness Center. HOT and its
clinicians have also offered resources in the form of ongoing weekly visits to provide no fee ID
vouchers, public health nurse support, County of San Diego Health and Human Service Agency
services, bus passes, portable solar power banks, and hygiene kits. A handful of homeless
individuals have also been successfully placed into an at-risk motel, recuperative care, and detox
facility during this pandemic.
The Police Department will also continue to conduct extra patrols of the parks and beaches and
hand out masks to individuals. The Police Department will also continue to respond to calls from
community members, property managers, and individuals experiencing homelessness on
eviction, job loss, employment resources, access to shower/bathroom resources, domestic
violence, and mental health. The Police Department also utilizes a public health nurse who works
Tuesdays and Thursdays to screen clients who are unsheltered and will continue to partner with
Interfaith to provide resources to homeless individuals.
Next Steps
The Police Department will continue to observe the San Diego County Health Orders and
recommendations and will advise City Council when the homeless encampment cleanups
resume.
Council Memo -Suspension of Homeless Encampment Cleanups
Jan.8,2021
Page 3
Attachments: A. CDC Homeless Encampment Guidelines:
People Experiencing Homelessness I COVID-19 I CDC
B. State of California Encampment Guidelines:
Protocols-Homeless-Pop.pdf {ca.gov)
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Cindy Anderson, Senior Management Analyst
Holly Nelson, Homeless Program Manager