Neighbors were shocked to hear of a boy’s attack on a sunny April morning near Marie’s Donuts. More alarming, after the arrest, the attacker was quietly let out back into our community. A social media firestorm of questions followed; why was he let out? Why weren’t neighbors warned? Where is he now? Other people recognized the suspect and posted previous frightening encounters with him. It turns out he was a familiar face, but no one paid attention until he randomly punched and kicked a child in public.
We are relieved to report the attacker is back in custody. Thanks to the hard work of Sacramento PD and a few alert citizens. There will be an update on his status in the coming weeks. In the meantime, this incident raises a question: How do we manage compassion for the unhoused AND public safety? With the recent opening of a Safe Ground site at W/X and 6th, people are concerned the location is too close to home. Neighbors know very little about the day-to-day management of the site.
The opening of Safe Ground was a surprise to us too…and we don’t know much at the moment. Maybe the city is starting to realize this wasn’t the best approach. Poor communication can inspire fear and anger. If details aren’t clear, people fill in the blanks with worst-case scenarios. Unfortunately, with the attack of a little boy in our neighborhood, our fears are realized. This man was homeless, had a history of violence, and was a frequent visitor of the W/X corridor.
To be clear, we understand the majority of homeless folks are not dangerous. They need help, and we want to support this. Yet, it is entirely reasonable to identify those who are a threat to public safety. A violent individual is a danger to both neighborhoods and the unhoused seeking refuge at the Safe Ground site itself.
You, Land Park neighbor, may wonder what the LPCA can do. Here is our answer:
• We will provide you a place to share your concerns, stories, knowledge, and ideas.
• We will be proactive in advocating for public safety and quality of life in Land Park.
• We will treat others as we want to be treated.
• We will expect clear communication and transparency from all parties involved.
• We will set our expectations and require accountability.
Everyone should feel comfortable living, working, or walking near the location. Homeless folks should be completely safe inside and around the site as well.
The LPCA sent a list of questions to Katie Valenzuela. Her answers will help explain the site’s day-to-day management and “who” is accountable for “what” pieces of the operation. (Letter to KV-City 2021.04.05 LPCA Safe Ground Q&A Sheet 4-5-21). This is a beginning. We are requesting accountability, and D4 Councilperson Valenzuela has promised to deliver. After the Safe Ground Q&A sheet is completed, we will release it.
Several issues surround the impact of homelessness in our community. We hope more knowledge leads to truthful, actionable answers that make sense. The LPCA is an all-volunteer organization. We are as strong and proactive as those who join us. If you have specific expertise in any field surrounding this topic and would like to help, please reach out: communications@landpark.org.
Links below.
To review Katie Valenzuelas District 4 Homeless Taskforce proposal for several homeless shelters and camps nearby, please check here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13fE5SRYzPZmUW-2HLzrPxu0-qtfoKvIO/view?usp=sharing
To review the entire draft plan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z8ynd0S2Mr5aNJ14n2V7GY9GNZEniIjq/view?usp=sharing
To review the Safe Ground Sacramento Website, go to https://safegroundsac.org/.
Per Katie Valenzuela, If folks want to volunteer or help, they can sign up on First Step Communities’ website, https://www.firststepcommunities.org/.
To watch and listen to the meeting by the Homeless Task Force, go to this link for the recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/g2ZVcLKYlYtytE4h-KuwPY9XhwImeqjd8ZUSv75a0eZrzeQBEaudmS9-wd_Ut3Z-.1svS_bul_BnMtzcS
To contact our District 4 Councilperson Katie Valenzuela directly: kvalenzuela@cityofsacramento.org
Here are the recent CBS13 News stories about the attack of a violent transient in our community and his release;
https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/04/07/sacramento-mother-attack-son/
https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/04/08/family-questions-why-man-who-allegedly-attacked-two-people-within-days-in-sacramento-was-released/