Full story by Chris Nichols available at CapRadio
Six months after Sacramento’s voter-approved ban on homeless encampments went into effect, supporters and critics of Measure O say the controversial new city law has done little to improve the crisis on streets. Some are hopeful that will change.
Still, the lack of early progress is striking: City officials said they have yet to clear a single encampment, issued only one citation and connected just 55 people to shelter under the measure from January through May, the first five months for which the city has tracked data.
Meanwhile, thousands of unhoused residents continue to camp along city sidewalks, parks and riverbanks.
Measure O, also known as the Emergency Shelter and Enforcement Act of 2022, was passed by 52% of city voters in November. It prohibits camping on public property and includes a misdemeanor fine for people who refuse to move after they are offered available shelter.
It also requires the city to create hundreds of new shelter spaces to address its severe shortage. Without those spaces, city officials can’t fully enforce the measure.