Chinatown community and city of Salinas address cleaning sweeps
Hundreds of people live in Chinatown and some of them say finding a job and new place to live is not as easy.
“Not all of us are criminals out here, not all of us are stupid,” said Elizabeth Barnhart who lives in Chinatown.
A rough week for Chinatown residents, as what used to be Salina’s largest homeless encampment is being cleaned up.
“They took everything everybody had,” said Diane Blaylock, advocate and Chinatown resident. “They took my husband’s truck, they took my RV.”
With more sweeps on the way in Chinatown, many are worried about where they will lay their head, as more of Chinatown’s main arteries are cleared of tents, personal belongings along with lots of trash.
“They want us out but we have nowhere to go,” said LaToya Taylor who lives in Chinatown.
Chinatown community members tell KION they have formed a union, are attending board meetings and fighting in federal court.
They say they plan to stand their ground when another sweep happens.
“We have rights, we’re human beings, we’re not going to let go,” said Blaylock. “We’re not going to stop, we’re gonna continue fighting.”
Salinas city officials tell KION months of careful preparation led up to the sweeps and that the city, Monterey County and nonprofit organizations are teaming up to provide homeless in Chinatown with much needed services.
“It’s understandable that people would be upset, but there’s a fair bit of misinformation,” said Spencer Critchely, acting public information officer for the city of Salinas. “I think people may not appreciate what has been done and what is being done.”
Short and long term plans include providing shelter for the homeless and more access to the warming shelter. A new health services center will be built in Chinatown along with buying more property in the area for housing and improving transportation.
“That involves a truly strategic response to making real changes here,” said Critchely. “That means dealing with the immediate crisis which put vulnerable people’s health and lives at risk. It means addressing the long term causes and effects of homelessness.”
A recently passed ordinance allows people to camp on the streets and sidewalks overnight between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Some told KION that’s not enough and they’ve moved to other parts of the city for shelter.
