STOCKTON, Calif. — Officials with California's State Lands Commission and the City of Stockton are slated to meet Monday to discuss a large homeless encampment in north Stockton that has been the source of multiple complaints from neighbors in recent years.
Just beyond the shrubs and trees that make the Spanos neighborhood of Stockton so picturesque are homes made out of wood, bridges made out of pallets and piles of trash.
"It's blight and it's a destruction of our constituents' quality of life," said Stockton City Councilwoman Michele Padilla. "This area needs to be put back to what it's intended for."
Padilla, who represents the area, was talking about a homeless encampment off of the southern end of Trinity Parkway, within the White Slough.
"There's a majority of tents, permanent structures, and mind you, those permanent structures are made with wood pallets and brand new fencing," said Padilla. "There's propane tanks, there's old fires, there's trash, bags, clothes, carts, you name it."
The encampment is only accessible from one pathway, by boats parked on makeshift docks or by a bridge made of pallets.
Padilla says she walks through the area weekly, hearing new stories about the encampment from neighbors, area business owners and parents of children at nearby schools.
"They fear for their life, they can't even come out and enjoy a walk," said Padilla. "Unfortunately, this area is owned by the State Lands Commission and so the city doesn't have legal jurisdiction."
Matthew Ellis says three dogs from the encampment chased his son while riding his bike to nearby Bear Creek High School Tuesday. His son escaped the dogs uninjured, but said he no longer wants to bike to school.
"I am very very frustrated," said Ellis. "I feel for the people that live in these types of encampments but it's a safety issue for children."
The California State Lands Commission declined ABC10's request for an interview, but said in a statement that they have spent nearly $86,000 in two cleanups at the encampment in the past year alone.
In its statement, the Lands Commission said it has been working with the city of Stockton to "address the situation at the site."
"The Commission recognizes that the State continues to experience a crisis of people experiencing homelessness and that lands under the Commission’s jurisdiction are not excluded from this crisis. The Commission also recognizes the impact that homeless encampments have on nearby residents and businesses," the statement said. "To address the issues associated with the homeless encampments on state lands, the Commission seeks to work cooperatively with local governments because they are most familiar with the unhoused populations and encampments in their neighborhoods and communities and often have the resources to address the issues. The Commission will continue to work collaboratively with local partners to address these challenges."
The Lands Commission and the city have a memorandum of understanding to address the encampment. Stockton's homeless shelter told ABC10 Friday that as of Thursday night, it had at least 66 shelter beds available.
"I already have a call into the Lieutenant Governor to meet with them and see what they can do to get this situation resolved because it's becoming a major issue for our city," said Padilla. "I'm not going to allow it to continue in my district."
With city and state officials scheduled to meet Monday to talk about how to move forward with the encampment, community members and Councilmember Padilla are hoping for a change soon.
"I have concerns and I don't want kids to have to have to be walking by these dangerous situations," said Ellis. "I want something done before something bad happens to a kid."
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