Martinez city council passes encampment restrictions

MARTINEZ, Calif. ( KRON ) – The City of Martinez voted to pass new rules to crack down on homelessness. Martinez followed multiple cities across the Bay Area, such as Berkeley and Palo Alto, in updating their rules on how to deal with a rise in encampments since the Supreme Court decision earlier this year.

The city council voted unanimously to approve the changes. A new ordinance on city camping regulations means limiting where people can set up camp because of the risk they pose to themselves and other residents.

City councilmembers say encampments in certain areas threaten public health, safety and welfare of those in the camps as well as the residents nearby. They pointed to the damage to public property, fire risk, unsanitary conditions, environmental harm, and blocking maintenance and emergency crews from work as reasons for change.

Specific changes include that personal property is not allowed on any public land, mandating a clear path to public property, and a repeal prohibiting sleeping in cars.

The Martinez police chief was there to share what his officers see straight from their work on the ground.

“There are certain individuals that don’t want to accept the sheltering, and so we encounter them on a regular basis going between, for example, shopping centers, sidewalks, etc.,” said Martinez Police Chief Andrew White. “So by cleaning this up, we’ll have the opportunity that if they don’t want to go between those routes, we’ll be able to take enforcement action.”

These new amendments bolster enforcement to protect the health and safety of the community. Back in April, the city council drafted an ordinance to prevent encampments at or near major landmarks. This new ordinance strengthens limits on the homeless.

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