ENCINITAS, Calif. — The encampment ban in Encinitas is now being enforced after a ban similar to Vista and San Diego was passed. It's now illegal to camp in public places or sleep in vehicles overnight on city streets in Encinitas. Since the ban went into effect, the Sheriff's Department says they've seen notable improvements downtown.
"Our approach for law enforcement throughout the city is still going to be resource first. I think we need to understand homelessness is not a crime," said Capt. Shane Watts, with the Sheriff's Department North Coastal Station.
Deputies give warnings and offer services during the first encounter with an unhoused person. Repeat offenders can face a misdemeanor arrest.
"I'm looking at everything that it says about the law and I'm like but I grew up here this is my home. I've been here all my life," said Chris.
He grew up in Rancho Santa Fe but says he hasn't had a permanent residence for decades. He's now living out of a vehicle.
"I don't have any place else to go," he said.
He's seen others fall into homelessness and says it's difficult to turn things around.
"I have seen women in $70,000 Mercedes trying to look like they're not living out of their car scared out of their minds they have no idea what happened and how it is to get where they got," he said.
The Encinitas City Council held a special meeting yesterday. They discussed whether enough is being done to prevent people from falling into homelessness.
"The most recent data I saw, we had 14 individuals entering homelessness for every 10 individuals that exit homelessness in the San Diego region. Which is significant. It's hard to say if we're doing enough because the problem still exists," said Samantha Stone, Encinitas homeless solutions coordinator.
People like Chris, raised in San Diego County, say they're trying to do their best with what they have. He's worked as an artist for years creating wood carvings, painting and doing photography and often gives his photos away for free.
"It's funny the more I give photos to people, the better my life gets," he said.
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