Over the last several years, homelessness in Sacramento County has changed dramatically. Much of this began after a Ninth Circuit court decision made it essentially legal for people to camp on public property unless enough shelter beds were available. Cities and counties across the West Coast felt the impact, including ours.
Camps grew along our parks, trails, and the American River Parkway, and local governments were left with very limited tools to address it. COVID then intensified the problem. More people fell into crisis, service providers were stretched thin, and encampments expanded into places we had never seen before. Even when deputies and outreach teams worked to offer services, they were often stuck in a legal gray zone where enforcement was not permitted.
In 2024 the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling that reversed the old Ninth Circuit decision. For the first time in years, Sacramento County once again was able to enforce rules against camping on public property. The County immediately began work to restore safety and access to parks, open spaces, and trails while continuing to offer supportive services as the first step in every contact…