A recent report highlighted that only 541 out of 5,477 unsheltered individuals in San José exhibit 'service resistance.' Concurrently, the city faces a 5% vacancy rate in its shelters. In response to a Supreme Court ruling permitting enforcement against encampments, several Californian cities are intensifying measures against homelessness, prompting concerns among progressives about potential criminalization. There is uncertainty regarding enforcement in San José, especially amid police staffing challenges, yet local officials advocate for these tough measures believing they help channel individuals towards services and reduce the burden on emergency responders.
After Fremont passed their ordinance, state Assemblymember Alex Lee, who represents that city and parts of San José, blasted the practice of putting unhoused people in jail as "a way to invisibilize homelessness."
Mahan expressed confidence that the enforcement plan would win support from the city's police force. "I believe that increasing accountability and actually focusing on getting that population into shelter, housing or a treatment center, or detoxing in the county jail for 30 days, will ultimately save a tremendous amount of police and fire capacity to respond to...
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