More Arrests for Santa Cruz Homeless Camp -- KION

FROM KION CENTRAL COAST NEWS

August 8, 2010
Report by Azenith Smith of KION

found online at: http://www.kionrightnow.com/global/story.asp?s=12945748

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The homeless camp in Santa Cruz is still going on, despite arrests over the weekend. Protesters aren't letting up without a fight and the Sheriff's Department is cracking down.

Sheriff deputies arrested people for violating a state code, California Penal Code section 647e, that makes it illegal to lodge on private or public property without permission from the owner.

Christine Nibheolain was one of the two arrested last night.

"I've never been arrested before," says Nibheolain, "I've never been in trouble before. I figure if I'm going to get arrested, it might as well be for something I believe in."

Nibheolain spent eight hours in jail. The Ireland native joined the homeless camp four days ago, since she says, the shelters are full.

"I'd rather be here illegal and under the lights and know that I'm safe," says Nibheolain.

Like the rest of the homeless camp, she's out there to protest the city's camping ban. It makes it against the law to sleep on public or private property from 11 p.m. to 8-30 a.m.

"I was pretty sure when I came to America that sleeping under the stars at night," says Nibheolain. " wasn't going to be a huge problem and I wouldn't be breaking a law for doing it."

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department say, they started making arrests after getting dozens of complaints from county staff and visitors.

"Complaining about human feces, the trash, public inebriation, loose dogs, foul language, we've had reports of people finding needles," says Lt. Gretchen Hurley.

And they don't plan to stop anytime soon.

"If there's continued violation, there will be continued enforcement," says Hurley.

Camp Organizer Becky Johnson says more arrests could potentially put a stop their protest.

"It's possible that we might decide to end this particular effort and move onto another strategy, and continue our pressure tactics on the city of Santa Cruz," says Johnson.

But, Nibheolain doesn't plan to quit. Despite the arrest, she plans to be out there again.

"It's more likely I'll be here, but I won't be sleeping," says Nibheolain. "But I'll be here for a couple hours."

Central Coast News spoke with Santa Cruz Mayor Mike Rotkin who says, he was surprised the Sheriff's office took so long to arrest people, and he's glad that they have finally taken action to remove what he says is a nuisance to the community.

Santa Cruz Homeless Protest Concerns

Posted: Aug 06, 2010 11:58 AM PDT Updated: Aug 06, 2010 11:58 AM PDT

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- City officials are raising serious health and safety concerns over the homeless protest that continues to drag on at the county courthouse.

"Peace Camp 2010" protests the city's sleeping and camping ordinances by taking the issue right to its front steps. Now, they have been sleeping there for more than a month.

Santa Cruz Mayor Mike Rotkin said the protesters are only hurting their cause, saying these grave concerns prove the city's ordinances are necessary.

Friday, a county worker who tends to the courthouse grounds said he picks up about 100 pounds of garbage a day on site, up dramatically from just 20 pounds a week.

He also told Central Coast News he regularly finds human excrement on the sidewalk.

Protest organizers said they didn't have any knowledge of that, instead pointing to a port-a-potty and the courthouse bathrooms.

"We've had 60 some odd people here last night and we've had hundreds upon hundreds of people here for 34 days," said Christoper Doyon with Peace Camp 2010. "You found one turd on the grass, so, I don't think that's doing so bad."

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies visited the site twice this week. Sheriff's officials said they are conducting a preliminary investigation, informing protesters they are breaking the law.

No word yet on further enforcement.

Submitted by Matt de Nesnera, Central Coast News Reported

Article can be found online at: http://www.kionrightnow.com/global/story.asp?s=12939254

Santa Cruz Sleep-Out: 19 Days and Counting

Submitted by Nailen on Friday, July 23rd, 12:59 pm

Found online at: http://santacruz.kionrightnow.com/content/santa-cruz-sleep-out-19-days-and-counting-0

A group of activists and the homeless have been camped out at the Santa Cruz county courthouse for 19 days, and they say they have no plans to leave.

They're calling it Peace Camp 2010. About 30 people are camping out to protest the city's sleeping bans, and organizers say their numbers are growing.

Even though they're rallying against city laws, they are technically on county property.

City officials have said they can't enforce their ordinances there, and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has no enforcement plans, either.

Organizers say they are trying to make a point, and it doesn't matter if it's on city property or not.

"We're trying to protest the problem and demonstrate the solution," said activist Christoper Doyon. He said they can provide a cheap and safe place to sleep.

Doyon said the protest won't stop until the sleeping bans are repealed, and they are also asking for amnesty for all sleeping tickets dating back to 1979.