John Kraintz is the president of Safeground. He says the self-governed
homeless camp was an answer to Sacramento's lack of shelter
space.
"The alternative solution is to hire police and get
everybody arrested," Kraintz said. "How's that gonna
work. You're gonna lock em up for three days then they're
gonna come out and they're still not gonna have place to
go."
County Supervisor Phil Serna is behind the decision to clear out
the river encampment. He says people are afraid to use the
Sacramento Parkway.
"Camping on the side of the river is not a solution to
homelessness," Serna said.
Serna says he secured private funding to pay for 32 new beds
at the Salvation Army. And he extended the winter sanctuary
program another 30 days.
Paul Stevens lives at Safeground. He says the shelters
are full. The river was the last place to go.
"Through the laws and actions of Sacramento County, it's
as if they tried to legislate us out of existence," Stevens
said.