SPRING VALLEY, Calif. — An elaborate encampment is catching some unwanted attention in Spring Valley.
A neighbor told CBS 8 they’ve reported it several times with no response.
Bicycle tires, spokes, chains, scooters, vacuums, several grocery carts filled with junk and trash bags filled with stuff are lined up along the fence on Sweetwater Road just north of Jamacha Road in Spring Valley.
“This is not just an eyesore, but disease, infection, just it’s not good,” said Stephanie Becker.
There’s a lock on the fence and on the other side is a tent with more piles of junk that butts up to SR-125 North.
“Last I heard, defacing public property is still a crime,” said Becker.
Spring Valley resident Stephanie Becker shared a picture that shows an explicit banner hanging from the fence. When CBS 8 showed up on Monday, it was gone.
“I reported to the City, the County and Caltrans, because what they like to do is Caltrans will tell you, oh no, it’s the County. The County will tell you, oh no, it’s Caltrans,” said Becker. “The amount of garbage, and nobody does anything. Nobody cares.”
But CBS 8 cares. We are Working for You and reached out to the County, which oversees Spring Valley, as well as San Diego Sheriff, Caltrans and District 1 supervisor, Chairwoman Nora Vargas.
Caltrans said they received a request on July 3 and will be addressing it.
In a written statement, they wrote in part, “Typically, Caltrans provides at least two weeks’ notice to its local partners to perform outreach. Caltrans also provides a notice posted at encampment sites at least 48 hours in advance of any encampment removal, except in circumstances posing an imminent risk to life, health, safety or infrastructure.”
“CBS is the only person that’s responded,” said Becker.
While we were there, a PATH case worker was seen talking to a man outside of the encampment.
PATH is a nonprofit providing resources to people experiencing homelessness.
CBS 8 went over to speak to them as well.
“Every three days they come, and they tell us to move. Sometimes they have workers with them to offer resources. Sometimes they don’t,” said the woman living in the encampment.
The man’s wife didn’t want to show her face but says in the last two years they’ve been unsheltered; they’ve accepted resources three times and risked losing income from selling this stuff.
“And walk away from everything, work, tools, clothing, everything we had. And each time, no housing was provided,” said the woman.
In a written statement, a sergeant for the San Diego Sheriff’s Office Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) said they’ve made over 25 visits to this encampment in the past six months and offered resources but the people living at the encampment have not been receptive.
“Additionally, we have coordinated multiple cleanup operations at the site to address the environmental and health concerns associated with the encampment. While these efforts have resulted in temporary improvements, the situation remains challenging,” said Aaron Montan, SDSO, HART.
The woman said she would prefer local resources.
"It was always, we can take you downtown to a shelter, but there's no guarantee that you're gonna get a bed. So it's the same situation just moving us downtown, where we don't know anyone, we don't know any resources. It's way more dangerous down there, and there was never an actual solution, like when we complied with everything they did, it still just wound us up nowhere," said the woman.
Becker said she understands there is a housing problem.
“Do we need to do something for the homeless, of course, but the answer isn’t to make it the community’s problem. The answer is for the county to spend the money they have,” said Becker.
Last month, Becker shared her opinion during a county Board of Supervisors meeting about sleeping cabins for unsheltered people on Jamacha Road.
After pushback, the county killed the plan to build 150 tiny homes in Spring Valley.
Becker hopes her voice won’t be ignored on the encampment issue.
“It’s a governmental runaround to shut the people up. They think if they run you around enough, you’re going to say, forget it and walk away,” said Becker.
A spokesperson for Chairwoman Vargas deferred comment to the County of San Diego Communications Director.
The County said they’ve made contact several times with the people living in the encampment, including in the past few days.
Here is the full statement from the Sheriff and Caltrans.
Sheriff:
This is in regard of the ongoing efforts of our homeless outreach team at the encampment located at 1900 Sweetwater Road. Over the past six months, the Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) has made over 25 visits to this encampment, offering every available resource to assist the individuals residing there. Despite our persistent efforts, we have encountered significant resistance from those in the encampment, who have not been receptive to the resources and support the Sheriff's HART team have provided.
Additionally, we have coordinated multiple cleanup operations at the site to address the environmental and health concerns associated with the encampment. While these efforts have resulted in temporary improvements, the situation remains challenging.
Please be assured that our commitment to addressing this issue is unwavering. The work in this area is ongoing, and we are determined to find effective solutions to support the individuals at the encampment and improve the conditions for everyone involved.
We value open communication and are committed to transparency in our efforts. Anyone who reaches out to our outreach team will receive a personal reply, either through an email or a direct call from the deputy responsible for this area.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Should you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Caltrans:
Caltrans is responsible for maintaining the state’s transportation network, including protecting and maintaining the highway infrastructure. In situations where people experiencing homelessness are sheltering along the state right-of-way, Caltrans assesses the encampment site for threats to safety and essential infrastructure. These assessments can be prompted by observations from Caltrans workers or reports from the public or local agencies. Threats may include excavation at or near structures that increase the risk of collapse; encampments that physically block traffic or pathways; and encampments that put individuals experiencing homelessness, the traveling public, Caltrans’ Maintenance crews, first responders, and the nearby community at risk.
Caltrans has conducted encampment removals in this area. When Caltrans prepares to remove an encampment that presents a threat to infrastructure or people, Caltrans’ Encampment Coordinators work to notify social service providers of the estimated closure date and time so that those providers can conduct outreach to connect people experiencing homelessness with essential services and available shelter/housing options. Caltrans partners with local government agencies that are funded, trained, and equipped to help people sheltering on state right-of-way to find alternative placement for shelter options.
Caltrans has Encampment Coordinators in all its 12 districts who work directly with stakeholders, partners, and local communities to address encampments on state right-of-way. They work collaboratively with a shared focus on connecting social service providers with people experiencing homelessness.
Caltrans’ Encampment Coordinators are tasked with not only coordinating encampment removals but also identifying, assessing, and tracking encampments to assist local partners in outreach efforts. Caltrans will notify local social service providers and request outreach be conducted to engage people experiencing homelessness with offers of shelter and other available assistance, often well in advance of posting a notice to vacate.
Typically, Caltrans provides at least two weeks’ notice to its local partners to perform outreach. Caltrans also provides a notice posted at encampment sites at least 48 hours in advance of any encampment removal, except in circumstances posing an imminent risk to life, health, safety or infrastructure.
Caltrans works diligently to label and collect personal belongings left behind at encampments. Caltrans holds the items for 60 days or until they are retrieved and posts a phone number to call to arrange retrieval.
Under state law, providing shelter and housing assistance to homeless individuals – including those residing on a state right-of-way within a city’s or county’s boundaries – is the responsibility of local government. However, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness is providing $750 million in funding geared toward local communities to help individuals living in encampments through Encampment Resolution Grants.
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