SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) — Santa Cruz officials are taking action after a homeless person was transported from San Joaquin Valley and dropped off in the beachside city. Hanford Police Department officers gave the free ride and left the person who had no ties to Santa Cruz, city officials said.
This week, the Santa Cruz City Council introduced a new ordinance titled “Prohibition of Government-Sponsored Unsanctioned Transport of Homeless Persons.”
Under the ordinance, Chapter 9.91 will be added to the municipal code explicitly prohibiting the unsanctioned transport of homeless people without “a coordinated and responsible plan for shelter or services,” officials wrote.
The new ordinance also aims to prevent other cities from dumping their unhoused residents without notifying Surf City first.
Officials said Santa Cruz reserves and limits its shelter resources for people who are currently living in the area, not 180 miles away in Hanford, California.
The Hanford Police Department did not respond to KRON4’s request for comment Thursday.