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Residents urge mayor to distance from Awakened Redlands; criticisms raised about Step Up housing
Summary
Multiple public commenters at the Redlands council meeting accused Awakened Redlands of promoting hateful activity and urged Mayor Tejeda to condemn or distance himself from the group; separate speakers criticized the Step Up housing complex's management and safety, and said the city’s partnership should end.
During public comment at the Nov. 5 Redlands City Council meeting multiple residents raised concerns about two distinct community issues.
Several speakers asked Mayor Tejeda to publicly distance himself from Awakened Redlands and its founder. Michael Paesner and a speaker identifying herself as Amber said they have evidence linking the group to flyers and harassment; Amber described incidents she said targeted her trans teenager (swastika-marked flyers at the high school, slashed tires) and said the community has documented nearly 300 hate incidents since October 2022. Amber provided a website (redlands2024.com) where she said documentation is posted.
Separately, a resident who said they live at the Step Up housing complex criticized the program’s management and described ongoing safety and drug-related problems at the property, urging the city to end its partnership with the organization and alleging the parent agency, Shangri-La Industries, had previously mishandled funds.
Council members did not take immediate formal action during the meeting; mayor and staff acknowledged the comments and said city staff would follow up where appropriate. The record reflects strong concerns from community members about harassment and the performance of contracted homelessness services.
