Auburn Residents Say Emergency Homeless Shelter Is Ruining Their Neighborhood
AUBURN (CBS13) — Homeowners in north Auburn say an emergency homeless shelter is ruining their neighborhood and causing a crime wave.
The county is talking tough, promising the change residents say is so desperately needed. A vote on Tuesday though means the shelter will stay open at least the next few months.
Aaron Bromberg says his neighborhood is a mess and he has the pictures to prove it.
"Everything from defecation and urination in public, public consumption of alcohol and drugs," he said. "Trash everywhere, colostomy bags; things you shouldn't have to worry about when you're walking down the sidewalk."
Residents say crime is up. Our cameras captured someone wheeling away a shopping cart with someone passed out on the bottom.
"Harassment," Bromberg said. "Recently a transient attacked a woman in her 80s while she was getting money out of the ATM."
Neighbors say the temporary emergency homeless shelter at the Placer County Government Center has brought in an aggressive transient population to north Auburn.
Over loud objections, the Placer County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to extend funding, keeping the shelter open through at least March.
"We want to help those who want help, and those who don't, we want to help them on their way," said board chairman Kirk Uhler.
The county wants to lend a helping hand to the homeless who want it, but what about those who would rather stay on the streets?
"For the other population that chooses that lifestyle, that's fine, they can choose that lifestyle but they can choose it somewhere else. We're gonna make it tough on them," he said.
He's promising more police patrols, and the county is working with the district attorney to step up prosecution trying to clean the area up.
Julie Cannon has empathy for those trying to get back on their feet, but says the situation right now is scary.
"I was attacked not too long ago when I was pregnant with her and it's a very scary thing, and I care about people just as much as the next person," she said. "There are schools that are right here. There's churches, there's children and young families trying to live their lives."
