PublicFrom: Kristin Shamordola <[email protected]>
Date: September 11, 2023 at 10:55:13 AM MST
To: Paula Perotte <[email protected]>
Subject: Illegal camping in my neighborhood
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good morning. I am resident of Goleta District 4, on Cannon Green Drive. I have lived here for 30+ years and am a retired police officer.
I will skip a detailed description of the problem of illegal campers in vehicles on Phelps Road & Pacific Oaks because I assume you’ve heard it all before. I can provide a vivid description if necessary.
I’m interested in (1) more aggressive patrol and ticketing by the sheriff’s department, for whatever camping & parking codes or ordinances apply in this area, and (2) exploring a 365 day a year *resident / guest only* overnight parking permit program in this area (Cannon Green and off shoot cul de sacs, Phelps, Pacific Oaks, etc … areas where no one other than residents and visitors have any business parking overnight.)
The campers are a blight, are unsanitary, and excessive cars from overcrowded rental housing just … well, it really “craps up” the neighborhood, as one of my neighbors said.
Thank you for your time and service to the City.
Kristin Shamordola
391 A Cannon Green Drive
On Mon, Sep 11, 2023 at 4:11 PM Chuck Flacks <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Ms. Shamordola,
Your email to Mayor Perotte was forwarded to me. I'm the City's Homelessness Services Coordinator. I am very aware of the growing number of vehicles with people living in them in your neighborhood.
Your communication addresses the complexity of this issue because we have observed a range of vehicles being used for overnight residence from high end Sprinter‐type vans to large Recreational Vehicles to regular sedans. Parking enforcement seems to be moving people before they stay 72 hours; however, we have not determined the best way to enforce the no camping in vehicle ordinances.
The Boise V. Martin federal court case prohibits removing encampments from public areas if there are no shelter beds available.
As long as housing prices and market rents are out of reach for most people, we will see an increase in people living in their vehicles. In short, this is a problem that we will need to manage in an ongoing way.
The City will be convening the Homelessness Issues Standing Committee (which includes Mayor Perotte and Councilmember Kasdin) to discuss remedies and policies to alleviate the problems in your neighborhood with illegal camping in vehicles. This meeting will take place on September 25th at 3:30 at City Hall. You are welcome to participate either in person or via Zoom. We will send you the details of the meeting in the next week or so. Your input is welcome.
In the meantime, do not hesitate to reach out to me with any further questions or concerns regarding homelessness.
Sincerely,
Chuck Flacks
Homelessness Services Coordinator
Department of Neighborhood Services
City of Goleta | City Hall ‐ 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B | Goleta, CA 93117 P: 805.690.5125 | F: 805.961.8084
[email protected]
From: Kristin Shamordola <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2023 4:31 PM
To: Chuck Flacks <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Concern About People Living in Vehicles in Cannon Green Area
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Thank you for your prompt reply. Yes, I am aware of the Boise case and the complexity of the issue. I am also very aware of the housing cost in the area, as I do live here and PAY that cost for the privilege of doing so.
Unfortunately I will be out of town the date of that meeting, but I am happy to hear that there is one taking place. The large number of illegal campers and encampments in our area and the associated trash, human waste, etc. is growing and we really need to apply the brakes full force before Goleta looks like a refugee camp. I have lots of personal opinions on the issue but I’ll spare you those, and acknowledge that you are correct ‐ it’s a complex issue that requires a long term solution.
In the meantime, I will continue to regularly and consistently report these campers to the SBSO and/or parking enforcement, and lobby for resident parking permits. If we make it ILLEGAL for non residents (or non resident’s guests) to park here, then it’s not a camping issue, it’s a parking issue. And in this neighborhood, there really is no legitimate reason for anyone other than a resident or their guest to need to park on the street overnight.
There is already a system in place in this area for resident‐only parking and required permits during Halloween and Deltopia. I propose that this becomes 365 day a year situation. No, that doesn’t solve the homeless camping problem, but it solves MY homeless camper problem. I can’t change the policies of the entire state of California, but I can take action in my neighborhood.
Okay, rant over … good luck with your daunting task.
Kristin