Homeless now 'accountable' in Fresno as city unveils new ordinance
Jul 26, 2024
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Fresno's Mayor Jerry Dyer and other city officials announced on Friday their new proposal to address Fresno's homeless population, in a move fuelled by the executive order signed on Thursday by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom's executive order called for the removal of encampments on state land and applied pressure on local governments to repeat similar action. The City of Fresno's action follows a similar ordinance announced by Fresno County on Thursday.
Newsom orders California state agencies to start clearing homeless encampments
In June the Supreme Court cleared the way for cities to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outside in public places, overturning a ruling from a California-based appeals court that found such laws amount to cruel and unusual punishment when shelter space is lacking.
"For the last five years, we have been seeking a comprehensive approach to a city-wide crisis," said Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias.
Since 2019, Arias says the City of Fresno has invested more than $400 million in giving those who are homeless the support services they need to help lift themselves out of homelessness.
"We have done everything in our power and everything that money can buy to create support services to those who are willing and able to take the help," Arias said.
Arias said they had seen great success and that more than 3,000 residents received housing and returned to family members - but reveals that some refuse the help or are not ready for it.
‘We’re going to do something about it,’ but what is Fresno County going to do about homeless encampments?
Since the Supreme Court ruling went public, Arias said city officials met with the mayor to create a new ordinance that uses the new federal standard for addressing homelessness. The new ordinance will address the remaining homeless residents who engage in criminal activity in a citywide effort, Arias said.
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld said that the ruling established that fining and arresting does not impose on unhouse people's constitutional rights.
"Our constituents expect to live in a city without having to deal with homeless sleeping or camping in their neighborhoods," said Bredefeld. "It is time for accountability and this ordinance will bring that accountability."
The enforcement plan, which is set to go into action on September 15, is described as not "anti-homeless" by Councilmember Tyler Maxwell - but instead designed to help the schools, local parks, bus stops, and small businesses that are being negatively affected by the encampments.
If approved, city officials say the ordinance would provide the City of Fresno with a new policy and more effective enforcement tools to address encampments and unhoused residents who refuse treatment and services.
Mayor Jerry Dyer says the encampments that the city deals with can be extremely dangerous. Dyer says to continue to allow encampments is not something they are willing to do because they know what it leads to.
"Simply put, regardless of the availability of the bed space in this community, we will hold our unsheltered population accountable," Dyer said.
He says that would include arresting them and taking them to jail if they are in violation of the ordinance. City enforcement will be focusing on problematic people, described as those who are most defiant, and problematic locations.
"We want to make sure the courts have the opportunity to persuade those individuals who have been arrested to seek treatment. In lieu of ongoing incarceration so they can get the help in which they need," Dyer said.
Councilmember Miguel Arias says there will be a special meeting of Fresno City Council on Monday. If the ordinance goes forward it will be effective on September 15.