7-day warnings issued at Chico camps
Days after people received notices of intent to enforce anti-camping from Chico police, Armando Williams was sharing a meal with two friends at a camp in front of the City Council Chambers.
The Chico Police Department began to issue 7-day notices to people living in encampments on Chico public properties May 9. If people do not vacate public property, a 3-day notice will be issued, and removal and fines may follow if they remain.
“They’ve been coming in 10 cops deep but you don’t ever see any of the City Council walking around,”
Williams said. “All you see is cops and rangers and the community task force.”
Although Williams said he is leaving for rehab, he said that he will help his friends pack their things.
“They’ve already decided where to go,” said Williams. “I just consider myself blessed because I know not everyone is as lucky as I am.”
Outreach teams from the Chico’s Pallet shelter site were out with the support of the police’s Target Team, a neighborhood policing unit from the Chico Police Department to conduct assessments, transport and notice campers about the enforcement efforts, said Amber Abney-Bass, executive director of the Jesus Center.
Holli Drobny, public information officer for Butte County Behavioral Health said that mental health resources are provided daily at the new shelter site.
“One thing that’s important to understand is that these services are voluntary,” said Drobny. “If someone is not interested, then we cannot force them to get help.”
The shelter also holds a confidential space for counseling, however, it has yet to be utilized.
“I think that people are still getting settled,” said Drobny. “I don’t think that getting counseling is on their mind just yet.”
As of Thursday, the Pallet shelter had 67 people living in housing.