Residents urge stronger enforcement and coordination around Salvation Army access center; council seeks staff follow-up

Multiple public comments and council questions focused on neighborhood impacts from services clustered near the Salvation Army temporary access center on North Sacramento Street.

Stefan Sekula (resident and property owner) told council he owns three properties near the access center and said he has observed repeated overnight vehicle camping, vandalism (including a recent broken storefront window at the old Tokay glass building), trash accumulation and people sleeping in front of businesses. Sekula said the impacts risk tenants not renewing leases and estimated 40–50 local jobs could be affected if businesses leave.

Council asked staff and the police to follow up. The mayor asked Captain Versteeg to sidebar with the resident for more information. A councilmember asked for an update on the city’s safety ambassador program; city management said staff would present details during the midyear budget discussion and could provide small-area action plans for identified hot spots (East of Beckman Street on Lodi Avenue and Sacramento Street).

Staff (Speaker 15) said the Lodi Committee on Homelessness receives regular reports from shelter partners and outreach staff and posts updates on the city website. Staff emphasized that the committee and outreach teams do not have enforcement authority but that the city coordinates abatement, outreach and ambassador resources; the access center director has been meeting with residents and sharing contact information as a point of contact.

The council did not adopt new enforcement policy at the meeting but asked staff to coordinate between departments, continue outreach and return with updates at the midyear budget discussion.