Salinas moves ahead with city-wide clean-up plan, focusing on Chinatown
UPDATE 3/8/2016 5:07 PM: Salinas is changing the way homeless encampments are cleaned up. Mayor Joe Gunter said it’s time to take control of a huge problem. Still the homeless community argues it’s a quick fix, only sweeping the issue under the rug. This comes as a lawsuit against the new cleanup policy is making it’s way through court.
Fifteen days from now, the city of Salinas will begin cleaning up Chinatown in a way it’s never been done before.
“We’re doing the worst areas first,” Gunter said.
Notices to Chinatown residents are being posted on Tuesday. The work will continue until all encampments are gone and then continue city-wide. Under new city rules, people will not be able to re-camp. People can only pitch a tent from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
During lunchtime at Dorothy’s Place in the heart of Chinatown, service providers handed out a letter explaining what’s ahead.
“I can’t speak to the big picture because we don’t know it. This cleanup is going to signal a change for Chinatown,” said Dorothy’s Place executive director Jill Allen.
“Do you people go home at night and think about us who are out here on the streets,” said Chinatown resident Toni Rodriguez.
Gunter said city leaders are thinking about them.
“We’re getting our providers down there, people who do social work, the veterans, the health department. People that can help provide housing for these folks,” Gunter said.
It’s no secret Salinas needs more low-income housing and that is part of the bigger picture. Two housing developments are planned for the area: a low-income senior housing unit and a low-income unit for families.
“I can’t have people with children living in that. If you’ve seen the area, it’s just horrible,” Gunter said.
Meanwhile, an attorney has filed a temporary restraining order against the city to prevent clean-ups from happening at all. Both the city and those named on the lawsuit will be back in court March 17.
PREVIOUS STORY: Clean-up warnings are going up in Salinas’ Chinatown on Tuesday, warning residents they have 15 days to move personal property before its cleared away by the city.
Those living in Chinatown are upset, claiming their civil rights are being violated and a lawsuit is currently making its way through federal court to fight the issue.
KION’s Erika Mahoney will have more on why Salinas says its a city-wide problem and how two housing developments are planned to give the homeless a place to seek shelter.
