DEATH BY HOMELESSNESS ‘Constant, toxic stress’ of living unsheltered takes ultimate toll
by
Ken Smith kens@ newsr ev iew.c o m
I
n recent weeks, a wedge-shaped traffic median between Pine and Cypress Streets—known as The Triangle—became the latest battleground in the community-dividing conflict over how Chico should address homelessness issues. On Feb. 4, city workers and police officers razed the homeless encampment that stood there since last spring. They did so at the behest of the City Council, evicting campers despite ongoing protests and threatened legal actions over encampment sweeps that critics say are immoral and illegal, and the fact that no shelter space is available. At the end of the day, an empty plot of land surrounded by police tape was all that remained of the camp where several dozen unhoused people had found some respite and stability during the COVID-19 crisis. Just three blocks away from The Triangle, outside the Chico Friends Meeting’s Fellowship Hall on 16th Street, stands a somber reminder of the real consequences at stake in this war on homelessness: a memorial to those who ultimately lost their battle for survival on the streets of Chico. The temporary The Ericksons—clockwise from left: Emilia, Chad, Ronin, monument features a picture of Eric surLogan, Scarlett, ColinOyler and Stump the dog—stand before their partially built home in Concow. rounded by ribbons left PHOTO by visitors. Oyler’s lifeless BY ASHIAH SCHARAGA body was found on Dec. 13 on the front landing of the church where the Chico Friends—also known as Quakers—meet. He was 54 years old.
Robin Engel holds a sign honoring Felipe Ramirez Jr. while protesting the eviction of homeless campers at The Triangle. PHOTO COURTESY BY KEN SMITH
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CN&R
FEBRUARY 11, 2021
