FreMont City Council measures the criminalization of homelessness – El Observador – San Jose

Sunita Sohrabji
Ethnic media services

Fremont, California – shortly before midnight February 11, the Fremont Municipal Council adopted an ordinance that criminalized homelessness as a crime of up to 6 months in prison and fines of $ 1,000.

The new ordinance is one of the most ranked such measures in California. It prohibits public property camping and allows only 72 hours of “camping” of private property. The camping is defined as a living camp, but also lives in a large vehicle, such as RV.

The new measure also imposes a fine of up to $ 1,000 for people who “help and support” homeless people. The language is unclear: FreMont’s Deputy Mayor Desri Campbell demanded a vote stop so that a clarifying language could be added. Two council members demanded a reduction in the size of the fines. But the measure passed without these changes. Campbell was the lonely disagree vote.

“Cruel Ordinance”

The City Hall was crowded with people waiting to offer a 1-minute comment; The lines got out of the building, despite the frosty temperature. 194 people registered, but only 70 got a chance to talk during the 5-hour meeting.

Several speakers have identified the ordinance as cruel. Teresa Ballard, Chairman of the Housing Board – a shelter for stray people – noted that the measure will simply stir people from one city to another without dealing with the root causes of homelessness. Others have noted that homeless people released from prison will again go out to the street, since at the moment Fremont is not enough resources to shelter all people who are not within its limits.

But several people said they were afraid to walk the streets of Fremont, especially with their children, for fear of being welcomed by the mentally homeless man. Others have noted that small fires created in camps can go out of control, creating disasters similar to the latest fires in Los Angeles County.

Busy but homeless

Fremont spends $ 7 million a year to provide a number of services to non -unhealthy people, said city manager Karen Shackleford. “We are always looking for opportunities to provide more shelter,” she said.

According to the 2024 survey, in which volunteers are on the streets to record information about the number of non -produced people, Fremont has 807 homeless people. 612 people live on the streets, while 195 are in shelters. 62% live in RV while 20% live in tents. 10% live directly on the sidewalk.

About 14% of Fremont’s net population has been employed. More than 25% are over 55 years of age and 23% have serious mental illness.

Supreme Court’s decision

Fremont Mayor Raj Salvan noted that 2000 units are being built at affordable prices and must be available within the next 3 years. He also called for the construction of additional shelter units.

Fremont is one of the most expensive housing markets in the Bay area with average $ 1.5 million home prices. The average monthly studio rent is $ 2100. Prices have been increasing dramatically over the last 15 years as the region has been developing at the Center for Technology and Biotechnology Companies. Fremont Economic Development Donovan Lazaro director said stray bearings discourage the city’s economic growth.

Rafael Alvarado, Jr., Fremont’s city lawyer, noted that 22 cities in California have similar regulations. Last July, California Gavard Gavin Newo issued an executive order calling for cities and cities to remove their camps. And in June, the Supreme Court ruled at Grants Pass against Johnson that cities may impose a camping on public property. Alvarado explained that the ordinance would not penalize people who provide food, water or clothes to homeless people.

Fremont police chief Sean Washington said his power would only impose a new ordinance in situations with great danger to others. He noted that the ban on FreMont Parks is already in the books, but said the police did not make any arrests. “Our intention is never to arrest someone who is unlucky. Only in extreme situations would we escalate, “he said. “The aim is to acquire compliance, not to be criminal.”