Miguel Maruyama, an unhoused man, expressed his distress over Caltrans' decision to dismantle the decorations he set up for the holidays, saying, "I didn’t believe that they were gonna actually, you know, do the way they did it." He created a nativity scene and cleaned up the area where he lived with his son, after enduring homelessness following job loss and eviction. Maruyama's efforts to beautify a neglected space were acknowledged as he highlights the void left after the takedown.
Caltrans issued a statement explaining that the clearance of the encampment was initially scheduled prior to Halloween but was postponed. They provided notice to local partners for outreach. The organization's insistence on clearing areas deemed encampments often meets resistance from advocates who point out the unique challenges that unhoused families like Maruyama's face, especially regarding special needs.
Advocates for the unhoused, mentioning Maruyama and his son, lamented the slow services available to them. They are advocating for rapid housing solutions for families, particularly those with special needs, instead of leaving them in vulnerable conditions. The disparity in support and resources for immediate housing versus the trouble that organizations face in managing encampments often highlights a deeper systemic issue resulting in continued suffering for those affected.
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