‘We’re going to do something about it,’ but what is Fresno County going to do about homeless encampments?

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A new drive to end homelessness in Fresno County is being fueled by a Supreme Court ruling and Supervisor Steve Brandau, who says he will bring a vote at their next board meeting to ban encampments.

The Unlawful Camping Ordinance vote is set for August 6; if it goes forward it will empower Fresno County to remove homeless encampments. It comes on the heels of recent announcements by the Supreme Court and Governor Gavin Newsom . Officials with Fresno County say they are also putting forth their own efforts to end homeless encampments.

“Ten years ago, most of us felt like homelessness was a very urban thing, but now we’re finding it in rural parts of our county, and so it needs to be addressed there as well,” Brandau said.

“That means the big county islands that are in my district, it would also include other county islands in the City of Fresno, like like Mayfair or Sunnyside, and County Islands, like Tarpey Village and Clovis.”

Brandau says the proposed ordinance would also cover areas in rural Fresno County, including those near the San Joaquin River.

According to Brandau, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance, as they have the experience and jurisdiction to deal with the unhoused in Fresno County.

Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni says their ultimate goal is not to criminalize homelessness, but to get affected people into programs that will help them escape homelessness.

“When we come out there and we contact you, our goal is to get you off of the streets,” Zanoni said. “Our goal is to get you into a program. It’s to get you into some of these services that are offered here in Fresno County.”

Zanoni says anyone approached by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will be helped. Only as a final resource will anyone face harsher punishments, according to Zanoni.

“As a last resort, if you are not going to move off the sidewalk, you’re not going to vacate these public places. Yes, you will be cited or even arrested based on the law,” Zanoni said.

Zanoni says the ordinance will allow his deputies to take the action needed to deal with the homeless issue once and for all, actions that the Sheriff’s Office was previously unable to do legally.

“I think we’ve all seen it. [the Sheriff’s Office] talk to these individuals. We tell them, hey, you can’t be here. You’re blocking the sidewalk and things like that,” Zanoni said. “Well, that the problem just moves on to another location. Hopefully, with this new ordinance, people will realize that now there is a consequence to this.”

Both Zanoni and Brandau say it comes down to quality of life and a safety issue for those who have to navigate encampments on public property. They say parents, local businesses, and pedestrians should not have to worry about unhoused people blocking foot traffic or causing disturbances.

“All of these issues, we want our community to know that we see it, we hear it, and we’re going to do something about it,” Brandau said.

If the Fresno County Board of Supervisors passes the ordinance on Aug. 6, violators could face a $1,000 fine or six months in jail. However, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says violaters would be given a notice before being removed.

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