SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento mayoral candidate Flo Cofer gathered Monday morning with homeless community advocates to denounce Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho's legal battle with the city over Camp Resolution.
"Mr. Ho has repeatedly threatened frivolous lawsuits against city officials over their response to the homelessness crisis, which is just a colossal waste of taxpayer resources," she said. "His threats to further criminalize Camp Resolution Safe Ground sites threatened to further exacerbate Sacramento's homeless crisis."
Cofer's comments come after Ho sent a letter to city officials on Nov. 14 saying the homeless encampment community known as Camp Resolution "raises questions regarding criminal liability" for city leaders.
His letter asserted that toxic chemicals were present at the 2225 Colfax St. site and made living conditions unfeasible. The letter was met with criticism from City Attorney Susana Alcala Wood — who said she was unmoved by Ho's words.
Wood also said though she is aware of the health concerns at the site, the abundance of homeless residents and advocates trespassing on the site despite locked gates made clearing the encampments difficult.
Ultimately, she tasked the Sacramento Homeless Union attorney to educate homeless residents at the site about the health risks associated with staying there.
While Cofer said the district attorney's office strategy has not led to more residents securing housing, Ho remains steadfast in his legal fight with the city.
“Dr. Flo Cofer held a press conference in front of the Sacramento DA’s Office to criticize our efforts to address public safety and our unhoused crisis. This political ploy to promote her campaign for Mayor does not warrant any further response,” a Sacramento County District Attorney's Office spokesperson said.
