Street Injustice

Legal Community Blasts City Over Homelessness

verbal assault, public sex acts, open fires, nudity, urinating and defecating on walkways,” Bowman wrote.

“Court security removes unsheltered individuals, who have no business with the court, from the main courthouse daily and our facilities team must regularly remove feces and other waste from our entryways and grounds.” supporting local businesses by having lunch with a colleague or shopping the farmers market.” public, district attorney employees, jurors called to fulfill their civic duty, defendants appearing on their cases, and victims of crime seeking justice,” Ho wrote.

Bowman said each week, the court processes thousands of criminal cases and holds hundreds of civil hearings, as well as family law and unlawful detainer trials. He noted more than 1,000 people use the court’s self-help and other services each week.

Bowman’s plea: Step up police presence near the courthouse, help protect the 416 Downtown employees and enforce code violations.

By Cecily Hastings Publisher’s Desk

“The court’s responsibility is access to justice. And yet, each day, there is growing concern that the conditions surrounding our facilities prevent just that,” Bowman wrote. “When coming to court is a trial itself for victims, witnesses or even jurors, access to justice is threatened. So, too, is public service when our employees’ fear for their own safety prevents them from leaving our buildings to go for a walk or

“The presiding judge and the district attorney are right,” Steinberg said in a statement. “I’m working with the city manager to open up the Miller Park safe camping no later than two weeks from now. The first priority will be to address the encampments surrounding the DA’s office and the courthouse. Those areas will be cleaned.”

Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho sent a letter to District 4 City Council Member Katie Valenzuela, whose responsibilities cover Downtown. Ho asked Valenzuela to address critical public safety concerns around the courthouse and enforce city ordinances.

“Unfortunately, significant public safety concerns are affecting the

“It should never be illegal to be homeless,” Ho said. “But just because you’re unsheltered doesn’t mean that you can break the law.”

Ho cited several lawsuits where cities were successfully sued for failing to abate a public nuisance caused by homelessness. Phoenix recently lost a lawsuit regarding illegal camping. Portland settled a suit related to tents blocking sidewalks and breaking disability access laws.

Ho’s letter said Martin v. City of Boise has been incorrectly interpreted by city officials.

“When these issues in the Downtown area have been raised by members of the public, some in elected positions point the finger of responsibility to others or misinterpret legal precedent by citing Martin v. City of Boise, as an excuse not to enforce