Since the Government won't or can't help

Maybe we the people of this city should show compassion for those who live in other then a house or apartment. By the grace of the gods one of us could be next.

Homeless people in Sacramento for whom there are no shelters are living outside, as best they can. Local ordinances prohibit camping on public property but permit homeless persons to camp on private property, with the consent of the owner of the property, for not more than one consecutive night.

Recently, a private property owner allowed homeless people to camp on his property. The campers were not told by police that they had to leave until they had spent two nights on the property, then they were arrested. These homeless persons are now exposed to the elements and have been told by city police that they cannot even stay under the city’s bridges without being arrested.

We need safe places for the homeless folks to go.

We are asking owners of empty lots, parking lots and any other unused space to permit homeless campers to pitch tents on their property for ONE NIGHT. The “campers” will clean up the property and leave it in better condition than they found it; a porta-potty will be provided. The “campers” will then move to the next property owner’s property where they will pitch their tents, again, for ONE NIGHT.

We hope to establish a series of vacant lots and unused parking lots, where people will come and camp for one night at a time on a rotating basis. Your generosity will highlight the plight of the homeless and help convince the city and county that special, temporary areas should be designated where homeless people can “camp” or live until adequate housing can be arranged or alternatively to place a moratorium on enforcement of the “no camping” ordinance. You will be doing a mitzvah if you step up and offer your lot for this very worthy effort.

Questions? Call or email Mark Merin Esq. 916-443-6911, mark@markmerin.com or Joan Burke at Loaves & Fishes 446-0874; advocate4loaves@yahoo.com

Please forward this request on to your friends. They might have a usable lot or know of someone who does.

Mark E. Merin, Esq.
Law Office of Mark E. Merin
2001 P Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: 916/443-6911
Email: mark@markmerin.com

or

Joan Burke
Director of Advocacy
Loaves & Fishes
P O Box 2161
Sacramento, CA 95812
(916) 446-0874
advocate4loaves@yahoo.com
www.sacloaves.org

www.safegroundsac.org or www.sacloaves.org/safeground