CHICO TOILS WITH TRAILERS AS IT PLANS NEXT ENFORCEMENT AREA
CHICO » After completing its first round of enforcement against people living on public property, Chico is pressing forward with its next batch of camp removals.
The city completed its enforcement efforts in downtown Chico, lower Bidwell Park, Annie’s Glen and Lost Park, according to Interim City Manager Paul Hahn.
The city’s next phase of enforcement will begin in the area between Lindo Channel west of Highway 99 over to Holly Avenue, Hahn said.
“The main reason we chose that is because of the high fire danger that is in that area,” Hahn said, citing two fires that recently occurred nearby. “Lindo Channel is dry, it’s got a lot of combustible types of fuels in the area.”
Hahn said the city submitted its letter of intent to enforce on May 26 to Legal Services of Northern California which oversees part of the anti-camping enforcement process. Hahn said he expects police to begin issuing 7-day notices of enforcement on either Friday or Monday.
Meanwhile, people living in fifth wheel trailers and recreational vehicles have been moving to citydesignated alternate campsites despite them being reserved for homeless people designated incompatible with shelter.
Hahn confirmed the city served trailer enforcement citations to several trailers parked at its reserved campsites at Eaton Road and at Bruce Road. Once a trailer is cited, it has 168 hours to move.
Hahn said people living in trailers are considered “housed” and are therefore ineligible for the city’s shelters because people living in tents are prioritized.
“There is absolutely an issue if we start enforcement — and we’re having this issue at Comanche Creek — where we have a number of RVs that are parked, and we’re probably going to be out there telling them to vacate,” Hahn said.
Hahn said there is no place for people with trailers to go in the city.
“We don’t have an answer for where these RVs can go, but we also know that they can’t just go wherever they want too. It’s a difficult issue, it’s a vexing one for us.”
Hahn said the council is already spending $3 million to $4 million a year for the Pallet shelter and does not wish to begin supporting trailers.
“I don’t think the city wants into the RV parking business. It’s not what we do, it’s not our mission, but
we know there is a problem out there that needs to be addressed,” Hahn said. “It’s certainly something we’re talking about and it’s certainly something we’re very aware of. I don’t have a solution.”
Hahn said the legal solution for trailers is to go to private land — either a private parking lot, a driveway or an RV park.
Two of the city-designated alternate campsites were canceled after public criticism during a city council meeting May 17.
Hahn said the revised designated campsites will be announced at a City Council meeting on June 7.