SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After getting criticism from residents, Sacramento City Council held a workshop to address the homelessness issue.
On Tuesday, city council held an hours-long meeting that allowed residents to tell staff how they felt about the issue and how the city is implementing Measure O.
In front of Sacramento City councilmembers, residents and business owners let out their fears and frustrations.
"I no longer walk my dogs at home through my neighborhoods, because I don't want to have to make the decision about whether to protect myself or my dogs," said Jenna Abbott.
This is all part of the city's homeless workshop. All of this comes after the city was criticized about last week's launch of a portal that allowed residents to file reports of unlawful camping on public property, which is part of the voter approved Measure O.
Residents that filed a complaint on the portal got an automated response that said the city has spent more than the $5 million that was allocated and is not required to fund additional services.
"The 50-plus people that put data in there, all immediately got an auto-response - we've already spent our money for this fiscal year... I don't think that's fair to the citizens of the community," said Amanda Blackwood, CEO of Sacramento Metro Chamber.
However, City Manager Howard Chan made sure to put an end to the accusations that the city isn't doing enough.
"Those deal points was limiting the city's liability to $5 million, up to $5 million. We've lived up to that obligation and then some. It's not to say that we shouldn't be investing in this complex problem here," said Chan. "For people to come forward and say we're not complying with the language in the measure is just wrong. It's dishonest."
On top of that, advocates for the homeless addressed the lack of care and resources for those on the streets.
"These people that you're so afraid of are vulnerable. They're extremely vulnerable; they are in crisis. So I invite you to look upon them in that way with compassion and see what you can do see what how you can help," said Talia Anderson
No decisions were made during today's workshop, but city staff made it clear that they are still actively working to address the major problem areas citywide.
The city says there are 27 encampments across the city that they are prioritizing. Within the first five months of the year, the city has addressed the top 10 and that includes encampments at Roseville Road, Bannon Creek Park and Granite Park.
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