Homeless Encampment A Public Health Crisis, Santa Ana Councilwoman Says
The city council will vote on a resolution next week calling for increased policing of the Civic Center, where hundreds have set up camp.
Orange County Register:
Santa Ana May Declare Public Health Crisis Over Civic Center Homeless Encampment
The Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday will consider declaring “a public health and safety crisis” over concerns that hundreds of homeless people living in the Civic Center have created an unsafe environment for the public and government workers. In a draft resolution released Thursday, Councilwoman Michele Martinez calls for the city to increase policing and code enforcement around government offices and requests that the county offer public services for the homeless in a nearby former bus terminal that it purchased for $3.3 million in December. The proposal marks the latest action in an increasingly vocal public spat between city and Orange County officials over who is to blame for the Civic Center’s deteriorating condition and who should fix it. (Graham, 9/1)