Sutter County sheriff urges review of overnight camping area after enforcement, cleanup problems

Sheriff Barnes told the Sutter County Board of Supervisors during public comment that the county-funded overnight camping area is not functioning as intended and asked the board to consider whether the resource should be revised or its funding redirected.

"The camping space is not meeting its intended purpose," Barnes said, describing people who set up outside the fenced area rather than use the site. He said the practice has led to accumulating trash and stored property and impedes the county's effort to provide a safe space for people to camp overnight.

Barnes provided operational figures for October: deputies issued about 40 warnings to people camping outside the site and issued five citations; deputies also removed over 1,000 pounds of trash from the area during that month. He said many people offered services have refused them and urged the county to weigh whether the camping program still meets community needs.

"Sutter County has always practiced compassionate enforcement of the rules," Barnes said. "We go above and beyond to provide resources and services for the unhoused population, but when that help is refused, you have to enforce the rules and hold people accountable."

Board members responded by asking staff to set up a near-term follow-up meeting. The chair asked staff to arrange a meeting in the next few days with two supervisors and Sheriff Barnes to discuss next steps and possible reallocation of resources.

The comments came during the public-comment portion of the meeting; no formal board action or vote on the camping program occurred at this session. The board did direct staff to schedule the follow-up discussion, which the sheriff had requested.