VISTA, Calif. — The United States Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of cities cleaning up their streets, keeping sidewalks accessible and safe by clearing homeless encampments, regardless if shelter beds are available.
Thursday morning, Vista became the latest city to do so.
Mayor John Franklin says close to 200 people live there on the street and that 90% of them have declined any help. He added because of that, jail time must be on the table. The Sheriff's Department doesn’t entirely agree.
On Aug. 13, the Vista City Council voted in favor of enforcing the camping ban. Days later, Franklin was there himself with Sheriff's deputies.
"There are chickens and dogs and multiple tents, piles of trash and hypodermic needles," the Mayor said.
He says a large group was detained, told to clear out their things and given a warning, that next time - they could be prosecuted for violating the ban, polluting our waterways and drug use.
"We have done outreach to every single individual, numerous times. We are asking people to go to the shelter, let us get them into permanent housing, let them get treatment for their narcotics addiction or mental health issue," Mayor Franklin added.
WATCH: Extended interview with Vista Mayor John Franklin
Capacity is not the problem. There are shelter beds and resources available at the new Vista Buena Creek Navigation Center. They have a 57% success rate going from shelter to permanent housing. Again though, the Mayor says nine out of ten people, decline help.
"I don't want to jail people for living on the street, but if they're living in an encampment and have been asked 20 separate times, to come to the shelter and they still refuse, jail has to be a last and worst option," Mayor Franklin said.
Homeless advocates say arrests and encampment bans are not going to solve the problem and the Sheriff's Department says they'll only evaluate each situation on a case by case basis, adding a violation of the camping ban ordinance does not rise to the level of a bookable offense.
The Mayor said, "We need law enforcement to have our back. They're destroying our businesses and they're overdosing, dying on the street. They need help. They're human beings and they need help."
The Mayor says he's disappointed, but understands the complexity of the issue and will continue to support working families in a cleaner and safer community.
"When Governor Newsom and I agree on something, you better get it done. People want results, it's time for action," Mayor Franklin said.
WATCH RELATED: City of Vista begins enforcing its encampment ban