Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputies and park rangers may soon gain new powers to clear homeless encampments from public property without needing to offer shelter beds. This potential change follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Grants Pass decision, which allows local authorities more leeway in addressing homeless camps.

During a board meeting on Tuesday, Supervisor Rich Desmond explained that the updated approach would enable law enforcement to prioritize action on particularly problematic encampments. The board unanimously voted to place the proposal on the agenda for its November 5 meeting.

The proposed ordinance would require officials to give homeless individuals a 48-hour notice before clearing encampments, unless the camp poses an immediate threat to public health or safety or is located within 1,000 feet of a shelter. Previously, the limit was set at 25 feet from shelters.

District Attorney Thien Ho expressed support for the ordinance, highlighting its potential to align Sacramento County with other jurisdictions like Elk Grove. He emphasized the urgent need to address the ongoing humanitarian and environmental crisis.

Undersheriff Mike Ziegler noted that the new rules likely won’t alter current operations significantly, as the Sheriff’s Office remains focused on addressing crimes against the homeless, such as sexual assault and domestic violence.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Mayor Darrell Steinberg stated that the ruling wouldn’t significantly affect the city’s approach to homeless encampments. However, the city has since introduced an unlawful camping category in its 311 complaint system, reflecting growing tensions around the issue.

The county allocates over $220 million annually for homeless services and encampment clearances, and a similar ordinance for the American River Parkway has been in place since September 2022. The proposed amendment would broaden the scope to cover all public properties, including sidewalks and streets, drawing support from local business representatives at the meeting.

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