Unhoused left without shelter after Stockton encampment sweep

The Eviction of an Encampment in Stockton

Several individuals who had been living in an encampment near Trinity Parkway were left without shelter after being evicted by the Stockton Police Department on Tuesday. This action was described by District 1 Councilmember Michele Padilla as "a new day in Stockton." She mentioned that the encampment had existed for 14 years in her district and that she had promised to address it during her campaign in 2022.

Homeless advocates criticized the sweep, stating that it lacked strategic planning and that city leaders have not provided a long-term solution for the homelessness crisis. They also raised concerns about the police department's show of force, which included Stockton police, SWAT vehicles, and the California Highway Patrol, as well as the overall cost of the operation.

A Show of Force and Community Response

As the sun rose, Stockton police closed the intersection of Trinity Parkway and McAuliffe Road. Police cruisers and motorcycles lined the street, with officers setting up a mobile command unit and stationing a SWAT vehicle near the levee where the encampment was located around 7 a.m. According to Officer David Scott, a spokesperson for the Stockton Police Department, about 40 officers were involved in the operation, with half leaving the area around 10 a.m. after the removal of residents.

The land where the encampment was located is controlled by the California State Lands Commission, and an agreement allowed the police department to remove unhoused residents and clean the area. Cleanup notices were posted, and residents were given time to leave voluntarily. However, no specific details were provided regarding citizen complaints related to drug use, gunfire, thefts, illegal dumping, and trespassing.

Advocates Speak Out Against the Sweep

Jessica Velez, founder of Red Rabbit Advocacy Programs, was one of the advocates who helped the unhoused residents during the sweep. She expressed disappointment, noting that city leaders often resort to force when they lack solutions. Velez had previously attended a City Council meeting and filed a request for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but she was told it was not the city’s responsibility.

Patricia Barrett, another advocate, shared similar sentiments, stating that city leaders were "destroying people's lives" and that several unhoused individuals were left traumatized. She emphasized the need for compassion and support rather than forceful removals.

The Shortage of Shelter Beds

Despite receiving nearly $65 million in federal and state grant funds over the past five years, Stockton has struggled to develop long-term solutions for homelessness. Projects aimed at adding shelter beds at St. Mary's Community Services faced repeated delays. At a recent council meeting, the council voted against allocating $1.2 million for the Pathways Project, citing the need for clear reporting on expenditures and outcomes before providing additional funding.

According to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, Stockton has significantly fewer shelter beds than its estimated unhoused population. While some shelters were listed, many either had no beds available or required individuals to call themselves for assistance.

Efforts to House the Unhoused

Since the rejection of a homelessness pilot program in April, Velez has worked to find housing for those at the encampment. Despite these efforts, neither she nor Barrett were asked by city officials to assist during the sweep. They decided to take action for "damage control," helping at least seven people from the encampment who sat on the sidewalk waiting for housing options.

Unclear Costs and Future Plans

The total cost of the encampment sweep remains unclear. While the California State Lands Commission approved $100,000 for the cleanup, the timeline for cleaning up trash and belongings left behind is still unknown. Councilmember Padilla stated that there will be daily monitoring to ensure the site is not reoccupied.

This eviction highlights the ongoing challenges faced by homeless individuals and the need for more compassionate and effective solutions to address the homelessness crisis in Stockton.