Possible Homeless Encampment Remains a Mystery
It appears some inhabitants have settled near Highway 101. Who's responsibility is it to address the issue?
A San Bruno Patch reader recently brought to my attention what looks like a homeless encampment that has popped up in the grassy area east of Seventh Avenue near Highway 101.
It's difficult to tell if there are any people living there, but at one point or another a tent, a container and a pick up truck with a camper have all been seen at the spot.
What also isn't known is whom owns the land where the "encampment" resides. If it isn't city property—and that likely isn't the case—then it will be up to another agency to address the issue, if at all.
If this is something that concerns you or if you have more information, please share and let's try to figure out what's up with that.
Rob Chapman
6:21 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Here's a question? Why does that Patch reader that brought this to your attention care if there is an "encampment"? Are these "homeless" people somehow bothering that Patch reader? I say leave them alone. They aren't bothering anyone. People like that Patch reader can sit in their warm suburban homes & say "those homeless people shouldn't be there", but I bet they would think differently if they found themselves homeless.
Martin Ricard
8:09 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Valid question.
Karin Cunningham
8:44 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I think it needs to be looked into only because it could get dangerous if more and more people show up. They may not even BE homeless! If it becomes a free place to park a camper or camp out, I would only be concerned about the safety there especially if the are cooking outside and don't have any restrooms.
Karin Cunningham
12:54 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
On my facebook.com/sanbrunolife someone mentioned the homeless at Posy Park. What can we do to help these people so they can move themselves into a clean, warm, comfortable place?
Martin Ricard
1:24 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Karin, I'm sure someone has already brought this up. But the Catholic Worker Hospitality House based at St. Bruno's is probably the best resource for them.
Bill Baker
7:18 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
OK. Let's assume that these are homeless people. If there isn’t enough room in shelters and it’s illegal to sleep on the streets or on this orphaned lot, where do the homeless go? If the City of San Bruno or another government agency goes in and tries to harass or arrest these people they could be sued for violating the Constitutional rights of the homeless people. Don't think so? The ACLU sued the City of Santa Monica for violating Constitutional rights of homeless people by harassing and arresting them. Here's more information on that situation:
http://www.dosomething.org/blog/chatterbox/is-la-making-homelessness-a-crime
Homelessness is a complex issue. Being poor and homeless should not be a crime. As the saying goes, "There but for the grace of God go I".
Then again, there might not be any homeless people on this lot and the "concerned citizens" can go back to reading about the homeless problem on their iPad over their $6 or $7 cup of Skinny Flavored Latte at Starbucks.