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Sacramento’s updated ordinance prohibiting unhoused individuals from sleeping outside of City Hall will go into effect on Thursday. Under the ordinance, camping outside City Hall between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. is not be allowed.City leaders said they hope it drives those camping to get the help the city is offering, while also making people feel safer entering City Hall.”We’re not trying to criminalize homelessness. We’re not trying to punish people for, you know, experiencing some sort of tragedy,” Councilman Phil Pluckebaum said. “What we’re trying to do is both create a space that’s appropriate for people coming to city hall to do business and whatever their purpose is, but also make spaces for people that are experiencing homelessness, so that they have somewhere to be with dignity.”The Sacramento City Council voted in late July to prohibit unhoused individuals from sleeping outside City Hall, reversing a 2019 policy that had allowed it. The item passed with a 6-3 vote, with council members Mai Vang, Lisa Kaplan and Caity Maple voting no.Mayor Kevin McCarty had pushed for the ordinance, claiming the cleanup costs outside of city hall were around $350,000 per year.”Having tents or sleeping bags or anything else set up in front of it is just a symbol of an abject failure in our housing policy. So, what we’re trying to do is not just erase the symbol, but also help those folks that are in those spaces,” Pluckebaum said. Throughout August, the city’s Department of Community Response has been leading outreach efforts, informing people about the changes. KCRA 3 spoke with two women who generally sleep outside of city hall on Wednesday. They said its one of the few safe places they have found to sleep. “We’re trying to survive. And City Hall is the only safe haven that we have at the moment.” Donna Valentine said. “Where is everyone supposed to go?””I feel safe because they have the camera and they have security,” Mane Davila said. “We have to figure something out after tomorrow.”Beginning Thursday, they’ll have to find a new place to sleep. Despite the outreach, Davila and Valentine did not accept the resources offered, citing what they consider to be strict rules at shelters.”They did, but unfortunately, I’m not going back to the shelter,” Valentine said. KCRA 3 observed the ordinance take effect on Thursday. Watch in the video below:The enforcement details remain unclear, but any person who violates the new rule could face a fine of at least $250 and face misdemeanor charges. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Sacramento’s updated ordinance prohibiting unhoused individuals from sleeping outside of City Hall will go into effect on Thursday.
Under the ordinance, camping outside City Hall between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. is not be allowed.
City leaders said they hope it drives those camping to get the help the city is offering, while also making people feel safer entering City Hall.
“We’re not trying to criminalize homelessness. We’re not trying to punish people for, you know, experiencing some sort of tragedy,” Councilman Phil Pluckebaum said. “What we’re trying to do is both create a space that’s appropriate for people coming to city hall to do business and whatever their purpose is, but also make spaces for people that are experiencing homelessness, so that they have somewhere to be with dignity.”
The Sacramento City Council voted in late July to prohibit unhoused individuals from sleeping outside City Hall, reversing a 2019 policy that had allowed it. The item passed with a 6-3 vote, with council members Mai Vang, Lisa Kaplan and Caity Maple voting no.
Mayor Kevin McCarty had pushed for the ordinance, claiming the cleanup costs outside of city hall were around $350,000 per year.
“Having tents or sleeping bags or anything else set up in front of it is just a symbol of an abject failure in our housing policy. So, what we’re trying to do is not just erase the symbol, but also help those folks that are in those spaces,” Pluckebaum said.
Throughout August, the city’s Department of Community Response has been leading outreach efforts, informing people about the changes.
KCRA 3 spoke with two women who generally sleep outside of city hall on Wednesday. They said its one of the few safe places they have found to sleep.
“We’re trying to survive. And City Hall is the only safe haven that we have at the moment.” Donna Valentine said. “Where is everyone supposed to go?”
“I feel safe because they have the camera and they have security,” Mane Davila said. “We have to figure something out after tomorrow.”
Beginning Thursday, they’ll have to find a new place to sleep. Despite the outreach, Davila and Valentine did not accept the resources offered, citing what they consider to be strict rules at shelters.
“They did, but unfortunately, I’m not going back to the shelter,” Valentine said.
KCRA 3 observed the ordinance take effect on Thursday. Watch in the video below:
The enforcement details remain unclear, but any person who violates the new rule could face a fine of at least $250 and face misdemeanor charges.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
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