Agenda Item No. 11
Correspondence for Homelessness Response
Update
(CC Mtg 11/14/2022 )
Supplemental Item –
Correspondence for Item 11 - Homelessness Response Update 1 Wendi Sims
From:
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 10:56 AM
To: Wendi Sims
Subject: City Council Meeting - Agenda Item 11 - Written Comments Attachments: IMG_9325.MOV; IMG_9324.MOV
Please keep this anonymous.
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Dear City Council,
Thank you to the GBPD for responding to the influx of illegal activity taking place in the forest behind our homes and on our street near the oak preserve off of El Camino Real and 4th St. The campers in the forest are reaching the many neighboring homes and we have been needing your services daily. These issues have been going on for years but are getting increasingly worse.
No matter which way we enter our street, we see campers and they see us and our cars. I have had to drive past my home many times so that they do not see which house I drive into. They also live in the forest on the other side of my back fence and for this reason, I feel uncomfortable showing my face and stating my name at the City Council Meetings for fear of retaliation. The inhabitants are resourceful and can watch the aired meetings, which worries several others for the same reason. I just wanted you to know that this is why some neighbors may not show up in person to tonight’s meeting.
I know the local Grover Beach City Government has been working with County officials to create their 5 year plan, but we as close residents to the oak preserve need help immediately to deter further activity, especially camping activity which has started fires within the last few weeks. Yesterday 11/13 the police had to come out, yet again to arrest someone in the forest for a drug related incident.
The campers need a place to live, but a forest so close to homes is not an answer. Please continue to help find them an alternative site that is better suited and safe for them.
We appreciate and desperately need your continued support to keep us who have homes and live in this neighborhood protected from reckless and dangerous activity surrounding us.
Attached are photos from just this weekend from some of the neighbors backyards. One showing the guy who was arrested for drugs, another guy moving his stuff into the forest and one video of where you can hear hammering in the forest. Each day there has been something.... it's very unsettling.
Thank you
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