News Blog
Displaced Homeless Head to City Hall
February 1, 2013
About twelve homeless people staked out overnight in front of Salinas City Hall yesterday to demonstrate after the Public Works Department cleared out their encampments in Chinatown, according to a homeless advocate.
Some of them plan on staying again tonight, and holding a candlelight vigil, says Bill Black, a Catholic worker who often helps the homeless on Soledad Street in Chinatown.
He says a few people were still in front of the government building this afternoon, and he expected more to arrive at night.
Historically, Monterey County's homeless shelters have faced shortages in beds and had waiting lists, which could be a reason some people didn't find shelter after yesterday's sweep, says Don Reynolds, a project manager at the Public Works Department.
Other reasons people don't seek sanctioned shelter is that there are restrictions on pet-owners and couples, he said.
Salinas police approached the group last night, but allowed them to stay as long as they didn’t set up any tents, Black says.
As of 3:50 pm today the Salinas Police Department had not yet returned a call for comment.
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