STOP THE SWEEPS! When Mayor Steinberg talks about the city of Sacramento keeping its residents safe, he is referring to those lucky enough to have shelter. The unhoused Sacramento residents whose lives Mayor Steinberg says are so “precious” have had essential storm survival gear and shelter—essentials like vehicles, sleeping bags, clothing, and more—stolen from them by city personnel in pre-storm sweeps. It is DISGRACEFUL for the Mayor to offer pitiful lip service to how “great” the city was in preparing for and responding to the storm when he and his over-funded, heavily-armed police force and their state colleagues at CalTrans have been ROBBING homeless people of their belongings in the midst of a deadly winter storm. I CALL ON CITY COUNCIL TO STOP THE SWEEPS and start working on solutions that actually help our unhoused neighbors: safe, affordable housing. Immediately, not next budget cycle. You have the money, and if you don’t then ask your pals at Sac PD to sell one of their military-grade murder weapons and maybe you’ll find some cash flow.
A year ago the CVFPB removed pipe gates that blocked vehicle access to over 2 miles of the Pocket levee, both public and private. Concerned residents emailed Councilman Jennings and even spoke at a City Council Meeting asking for help. At the time Councilman Jennings Director of Community Affairs said, “The constituents are correct that there is now public vehicle access to a large portion of the levee. How can we get this blocked again ASAP? “, In response Councilman Jennings Chief of Staff stated there was nothing the city could do to protect city residents on city property from being run over by illegal vehicle traffic. Last March the WPNW asked Jennings in person at a rare public appearance if that was his final answer. Realizing how bad this sounded, he promised to set up a meeting with himself, the CVFPB, and Pocket residents. Since making that promise a year ago, Councilman Jennings has ignored every contact request from his constituents, neighborhood watches, and the PGCA concerning this meeting. The PGCA even offered to host this meeting at the Robbie Watters Library. In December the PGCA reminded Jennings of his promise and their offer to host the meeting. His office responded for the first time in a year by saying they would reach out the the CVFPB to coordinate a meeting. Since that time his office has gone silent again and ignored his constituents. Before Christmas residents went to the CVFPB in person to ask about the meeting and were told Jennings office has not contacted them. Councilman Jennings has Lied to his constituents about setting up this meeting. He has Lied to his constituents about contacting the CVFPB. He has no interest in protecting the safety of residents who walk on public sections of the levee, or those that live near public and private sections of the levee.
Pocket residents want the Mayor and the rest of the City council to know that Jennings has no interest in protecting the safety of his constituents.
Please stop Sac PD from sweeping encampments and stealing the survival gear of our unhoused neighbors during these turbulent storms and unprecedented weather. Doing so worsens their chance of survival in this weather and creates even more stress and uncertainty for people already in crisis. Our city resources should go towards providing services and resources to people in crisis during this weather, not making our most vulnerable community members' lives even more precarious.
STOP THE SWEEPS! When Mayor Steinberg talks about the city of Sacramento keeping its residents safe, he is referring to those lucky enough to have shelter. The unhoused Sacramento residents whose lives Mayor Steinberg says are so “precious” have had essential storm survival gear and shelter—essentials like vehicles, sleeping bags, clothing, and more—stolen from them by city personnel in pre-storm sweeps. It is DISGRACEFUL for the Mayor to offer pitiful lip service to how “great” the city was in preparing for and responding to the storm when he and his over-funded, heavily-armed police force and their state colleagues at CalTrans have been ROBBING homeless people of their belongings in the midst of a deadly winter storm. I CALL ON CITY COUNCIL TO STOP THE SWEEPS and start working on solutions that actually help our unhoused neighbors: safe, affordable housing. Immediately, not next budget cycle. You have the money, and if you don’t then ask your pals at Sac PD to sell one of their military-grade murder weapons and maybe you’ll find some cash flow.
A year ago the CVFPB removed pipe gates that blocked vehicle access to over 2 miles of the Pocket levee, both public and private. Concerned residents emailed Councilman Jennings and even spoke at a City Council Meeting asking for help. At the time Councilman Jennings Director of Community Affairs said, “The constituents are correct that there is now public vehicle access to a large portion of the levee. How can we get this blocked again ASAP? “, In response Councilman Jennings Chief of Staff stated there was nothing the city could do to protect city residents on city property from being run over by illegal vehicle traffic. Last March the WPNW asked Jennings in person at a rare public appearance if that was his final answer. Realizing how bad this sounded, he promised to set up a meeting with himself, the CVFPB, and Pocket residents. Since making that promise a year ago, Councilman Jennings has ignored every contact request from his constituents, neighborhood watches, and the PGCA concerning this meeting. The PGCA even offered to host this meeting at the Robbie Watters Library. In December the PGCA reminded Jennings of his promise and their offer to host the meeting. His office responded for the first time in a year by saying they would reach out the the CVFPB to coordinate a meeting. Since that time his office has gone silent again and ignored his constituents. Before Christmas residents went to the CVFPB in person to ask about the meeting and were told Jennings office has not contacted them. Councilman Jennings has Lied to his constituents about setting up this meeting. He has Lied to his constituents about contacting the CVFPB. He has no interest in protecting the safety of residents who walk on public sections of the levee, or those that live near public and private sections of the levee.
Pocket residents want the Mayor and the rest of the City council to know that Jennings has no interest in protecting the safety of his constituents.
Please stop Sac PD from sweeping encampments and stealing the survival gear of our unhoused neighbors during these turbulent storms and unprecedented weather. Doing so worsens their chance of survival in this weather and creates even more stress and uncertainty for people already in crisis. Our city resources should go towards providing services and resources to people in crisis during this weather, not making our most vulnerable community members' lives even more precarious.