Locals raise concerns about homeless camps

Over the last few weeks, some community members have publicly addressed their concerns with homeless encampments near their homes and businesses. "I drove down Lincoln Boulevard yesterday and saw a massive blue tarp hanging from trees. I could also see white and red tents," said Lincoln resident Nicole Stokes recently. Stokes said she moved to Lincoln with her husband and two children after living in Roseville for 14 years. "We wanted a bigger house and a bigger yard. We love Lincoln but we don't love seeing the homeless," she said. Stokes said she has empathy for those who are going through difficult times but some don't want help. Stokes also said she is more concerned about the safety of her children while being near the nature preserve on Lincoln Boulevard where some camps are located. Stokes said she has considered moving away from Lincoln. "I was raised to be a productive citizen and work hard. Help who you can help but family comes first," Stokes said. "Everything I do is for my children to have a great life. I never want my children to feel scared or unsafe." At the Feb. 14 Lincoln City Council meeting, other residents voiced concerns about homeless camps in the area. "I understand things take time and money, but for me, this has been going on for five years," said Dawn Beltri who has lived near the Auburn Ravine in Lincoln since 2017. "The homeless have continued to come and build. They continue to break laws, litter and leave their cars there. There's also been a lot of suspicious activity. I don't want to assume but my assumption is drug activity." Beltri said she worries for her safety while walking with her children and pets. City of Lincoln attorney and code enforcement supervisor Kristine Mollenkauf gave an update on homeless camps at the Feb. 14 City Council meeting. "We do not have shelter space in the city of Lincoln, but, if we are not issuing criminal citations and we are allowing them to sleep, the city is not required to allow them to occupy our park space," Mollenkauf said. The only emergency shelter that serves the homeless in Placer County is the Gathering Inn, which is based in Roseville. For more information, call 916-791-9355 or email info@thegatheringinn.com. Because of recent court rulings, Mollenkauf said, the city of Lincoln has to allow campers to have items to sleep in comfort such as bed rolls, sleeping bags, pillows and blankets. Mollenkauf said that the city is not required to, but for now, will allow 10X10 areas for individuals to sleep near the ravine behind the Post Office in Lincoln off of Gateway Oaks. Anyone utilizing more than 10x10 of space, which she said is the size of a pop-up tent, will be cited and additional items will be thrown away. Mollenkauf said campers in the area have already been put on notice by code enforcement and the Adopt-a-Creek team that paid a visit behind the Post Office at the end of February and marked off 10x10 spaces. Lincoln Mayor Paul Joiner, on the city's Homeless Task Force, said the homeless population has "declined slightly," down to 43 from 50 over the last year or so. In June 2021, Joiner said, Placer County hired MIG, Inc., to assist with planning a comprehensive, integrated, fiscally-sustainable continuum of homeless and housing services for the county's central and southern portions. According to Joiner, "Phase One of the effort undertook a survey of current programs and services and conducted research into the experiences of other jurisdictions in the state and around the country. Representatives from each of the six cities, the county as well as law enforcement, Placer County Office of Education, Probation, Department of Health and Human Services, the District Attorney, Homeless Resources Council of the Sierras, Kaiser Permanente, Placer Community Foundation and Sutter Health make up the planning team." Joiner said the desired outcome is to maintain the lowest rate of homelessness in Northern California. "In 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Martin v. Boise determined that cities cannot enforce anti-camping ordinances if they do not have enough shelter beds available for their homeless population," Joiner said. "The city, along with our partners at the county and volunteers, work very hard to connect the homeless to programs and assistance to get them housed and the help they need but they have to be willing to accept that assistance." Eric Long, president of The Salt Mine, agreed that only those who want help can be helped. The Salt Mine is a faith-based charity that works to enhance and improve the lives of those in need in the community by providing food, clothing, household goods and other assistance, according to its website. Long has been a part of The Salt Mine, founded by his in-laws, since 1985. Long said he was inspired to be a part of the organization because of his rough upbringing. "It (inspiration) mostly came from being a youth who grew up in a dysfunctional and broken home," Long said. "The calling on my life to help those in need started at a young age because I was one who needed help. That transitioned into how I can help others." Long said that The Salt Mine's goal is to provide resources to the community to prevent homelessness. However, the organization has resources for those without a home such as a free laundry facility and employment and housing services. "We're always looking and trying to improve the situation with the homeless. It's a constant uphill battle, everywhere," Long said. "We're going to keep going uphill and helping those right at our front door." Long said the Salt Mine has more than 50 volunteers who volunteer weekly to assist 400 to 500 local families per month. For more information or to volunteer or donate to The Salt Mine, visit thesaltmine.org.