Over six tons of debris, trash removed from riverbed
There were over 40 different “camps” of homeless that were in the riverbed, according to Stormwater Manager David LaCaro, with an estimated total of 70-90 people. Photo by DuPree Dial.
Debris collected represents approximately half of the identified camps, city says
–At Tuesday night’s Paso Robles City Council Meeting, the council received a status update on the Salinas River evacuation and cleanup project, where it was reported that the effort was successful in removing homeless campers prior to last weekend’s storms and rising river waters, according to Assistant City Manager Meg Williamson.
Sheltering services remained available through Paso Cares, who are helping to match homeless individuals with appropriate resources and services. Personal belongings of evacuated individuals are being tagged and stored to be retrieved at a later date, and a 15-member work crew began riverbed camp debris cleanup on Friday, March 10. Approximately 6.5 tons of trash/debris (three 40-yard bins) had been removed over the course of three days, representing approximately half of the identified camps within the city limits, according to Williamson.
At the council’s direction, the city will proceed with forming a North County Homeless Advisory Group to continue the dialogue on longer term homeless sheltering solutions.
WHO is paying for the cleanup? Maybe the smart thing to do is to put those homeless people to work cleaning up the mess they created. The City has got to do a better job of keeping theses "camps" from getting started to begin with. I propose that the City buy up old shipping containers, converting them to small quarters, placing them on city property somewhere and allow these folks to shelter in them temporarily as long as they accept assistance and counseling to get them out of their dilemma. The local homeless shelters or non-profits can operate the camp. As part of their housing agreement, and if they are physically capable, they are to work on civic projects, trash pick up, cleaning the riverbed etc., while receiving a stipend to further assist them to get back on their feet. If they don't accept these measures, then they have to move on.
I love this!!!
I think the problem is bigger than what counseling or assistance can 'cure'. Mental illness, drug addiction..The question is how to proceed with these issues.
I am not sure if the central coast has the resources in place for combatting true homelessness- homelessness is difficult in a smaller area such as ours. I volunteered at Echo and those people mainly had jobs etc. but I have had interactions with the river dwellers and it was more, from what I experienced, individuals that asked for money and didn't work. Obviously didn't meet every single person down there.
Many large cities are adapting a "housing first," initiative however – with the mentality that all people deserve housing and then they can work on getting a job – which you usually need an address to apply for- getting services and taking steps out of homelessness- I am still not confident that anyone with experience or knowledge knows how to go about tackling the homelessness in the area… The churches are doing what they can — not sure where funding for housing and at least one person to run it in a case management position, would come from…
then you need connections to rehab, mental illness outlets, jobs available, transportation for individuals without income, and so much more in place- it's a very loaded situation to try to piece together.
I like the ideas presented for the true "homeless". But lets call it as it is, some of these people are just vagrants. They have no intention of working or taking care of themselves in any other way than they are presently doing. I feel for the families and people with mental and health issues that prevent them from being able to work. I know the river bed is also home to some very able bodied young people that could work and/or have homes they could go to if they chose to. Parents of these kids are asking everyone to NOT inable them to continue to live this way, they can come home if they want to.
have you a way to separate wheat from chaff?
Exactly, "true homeless" gerenally don't sit around shopping centers holding up cardboard signs begging for handouts – those are the addicts/vagrants. People who are are legitimately homeless through no fault of their own usually are trying as hard as they can to find work, not hanging out all day, every day at Starbucks and bus shelters.
your idea would run afoul of building codes
Bob Fuller I don't think there would be to much push back from the City, as long as they approve the required codes. I've seen what can be done with these things first hand and they can be built to code. THINK RV trailers or motor homes, same context.
They're a reuseable resource that can be gotten for little money and for little more money made into useable "shelters". They would me much better than tents, or the crap they're living in now.
It's owned by the state, and needs asbestos removal (asbestos tiles).
Unfortunately, there are no services and counseling. The county has just 1/2 of a social worker for the homeless and no money for services and programs. The city evicted the homeless from the riverbed and has no place for them to go. The police actually told people to "just move a little south and you'll be out of the city limits and we won't hassel you". I agree that there are a lot of vagrants and addicts out there, but there are also people who are trying to get off the streets. Imagine yourself down there with no address, car, way to launder clothes or keep clean and trying to find employment. Paso Cares is trying to help keep people warm and dry with our warming shelter, but we can't service all the homeless in Paso. Please consider joining our group and lend a helping hand. pasocares.org
Lynne Gamble
Thank you Lynne for the clarification….I drive past it twice a day and have wondered why it has been vacant.
Give the homeless people the training and supplies needed to remove it, and have them do the work needed to turn it into a shelter. Surely the true homeless would be willing to work for a place to stay. I know I would!
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WHO is paying for the cleanup? Maybe the smart thing to do is to put those homeless people to work cleaning up the mess they created. The City has got to do a better job of keeping theses "camps" from getting started to begin with. I propose that the City buy up old shipping containers, converting them to small quarters, placing them on city property somewhere and allow these folks to shelter in them temporarily as long as they accept assistance and counseling to get them out of their dilemma. The local homeless shelters or non-profits can operate the camp. As part of their housing agreement, and if they are physically capable, they are to work on civic projects, trash pick up, cleaning the riverbed etc., while receiving a stipend to further assist them to get back on their feet. If they don't accept these measures, then they have to move on.
I love this!!!
I think the problem is bigger than what counseling or assistance can 'cure'. Mental illness, drug addiction..The question is how to proceed with these issues.
I am not sure if the central coast has the resources in place for combatting true homelessness- homelessness is difficult in a smaller area such as ours. I volunteered at Echo and those people mainly had jobs etc. but I have had interactions with the river dwellers and it was more, from what I experienced, individuals that asked for money and didn't work. Obviously didn't meet every single person down there.
Many large cities are adapting a "housing first," initiative however – with the mentality that all people deserve housing and then they can work on getting a job – which you usually need an address to apply for- getting services and taking steps out of homelessness- I am still not confident that anyone with experience or knowledge knows how to go about tackling the homelessness in the area… The churches are doing what they can — not sure where funding for housing and at least one person to run it in a case management position, would come from…
then you need connections to rehab, mental illness outlets, jobs available, transportation for individuals without income, and so much more in place- it's a very loaded situation to try to piece together.
I like the ideas presented for the true "homeless". But lets call it as it is, some of these people are just vagrants. They have no intention of working or taking care of themselves in any other way than they are presently doing. I feel for the families and people with mental and health issues that prevent them from being able to work. I know the river bed is also home to some very able bodied young people that could work and/or have homes they could go to if they chose to. Parents of these kids are asking everyone to NOT inable them to continue to live this way, they can come home if they want to.
have you a way to separate wheat from chaff?
Exactly, "true homeless" gerenally don't sit around shopping centers holding up cardboard signs begging for handouts – those are the addicts/vagrants. People who are are legitimately homeless through no fault of their own usually are trying as hard as they can to find work, not hanging out all day, every day at Starbucks and bus shelters.
your idea would run afoul of building codes
Bob Fuller I don't think there would be to much push back from the City, as long as they approve the required codes. I've seen what can be done with these things first hand and they can be built to code. THINK RV trailers or motor homes, same context.
They're a reuseable resource that can be gotten for little money and for little more money made into useable "shelters". They would me much better than tents, or the crap they're living in now.
It's owned by the state, and needs asbestos removal (asbestos tiles).
Unfortunately, there are no services and counseling. The county has just 1/2 of a social worker for the homeless and no money for services and programs. The city evicted the homeless from the riverbed and has no place for them to go. The police actually told people to "just move a little south and you'll be out of the city limits and we won't hassel you". I agree that there are a lot of vagrants and addicts out there, but there are also people who are trying to get off the streets. Imagine yourself down there with no address, car, way to launder clothes or keep clean and trying to find employment. Paso Cares is trying to help keep people warm and dry with our warming shelter, but we can't service all the homeless in Paso. Please consider joining our group and lend a helping hand. pasocares.org
Lynne Gamble
Thank you Lynne for the clarification….I drive past it twice a day and have wondered why it has been vacant.
Give the homeless people the training and supplies needed to remove it, and have them do the work needed to turn it into a shelter. Surely the true homeless would be willing to work for a place to stay. I know I would!
Warming Shelters Don't Allow Those With Dogs! Cherie Michaelson Plays Favorites n Picks n Chooses Who She Wants To Help