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City rangers describe rising riverbed encampments and outline enforcement, outreach steps
Summary
City rangers told the Recreation & Parks Commission that encampments in the Santa Maria Riverbed have increased and outlined outreach to 16 social services, notice-to-vacate windows and citation options; staff described operational costs and safety constraints that limit immediate removals.
City rangers presented a detailed update on homelessness and encampments to the Recreation & Parks Commission, describing more frequent new arrivals in the Santa Maria Riverbed and an operational mix of outreach and enforcement.
Rangers said their primary objective is to connect unhoused individuals to social services and that, on contact, staff offer access to about 16 different social-service resources. Presentation materials and body-camera footage shown to the commission included a short exchange in which an unhoused person said, "This is what my life is. I don't want any assistance." Rangers said refusals of services are common and that some people prefer living outdoors because they avoid rent.
When outreach is refused, rangers…
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