“We’re experiencing environmental and humanitarian crises we’ve never seen before. But focusing only on enforcement will lead to whack-a-mole and never truly address the issue,” said Dianna Poggetto of the foundation in a statement after the meeting. “More shelter space and services will help the unhoused get off the streets.”
In a statement, the American Parkway Foundation applauded the new restrictions, but also called for more to be done to help the unhoused.
“While we applaud the passage of the ordinance toughening restrictions on illegal camping on the American River Parkway, we urge Sacramento County leaders to continue to make the development of shelter and wrap-around services for the unhoused a priority. Enforcement, while important, doesn’t address the root cause and won’t be effective without these other two key elements,” the American River Parkway Foundation said.
“While we applaud the passage of the ordinance toughening restrictions on illegal camping on the American River Parkway, we urge Sacramento County leaders to continue to make the development of shelter and wrap-around services for the unhoused a priority. Enforcement, while important, doesn’t address the root cause and won’t be effective without these other two key elements,” the American River Parkway Foundation said in a statement regarding the Board of Supervisors’ decision.
One ordinance would prohibit camping on the entire American River Parkway and Dry Creek Parkway; the other would prohibit camping on flood levees, fire risk zones and near homeless shelters, schools and libraries. Around 2,000 homeless people camp in the parkway alone, the American River Parkway Foundation estimates.
Spanning 23 miles and 4,800 acres, the American River Parkway is an urban gem. While it provides nature and recreational opportunities to enjoy, it’s also a part of our region’s homelessness issue. American River Parkway Foundation Executive Director Dianna Poggetto joins host Scott Syphax for a conversation about the importance of the parkway.
Now, the business community is getting involved, putting their names behind the “Voices of the Parkway Coalition” to rally the community, organizations and corporations around solutions that address illegal camping as well as the greater issue of homelessness in Sacramento County.
The CEO of one of the biggest local business banks is helping bring more awareness to this and working diligently to find solutions. Five Star Bank’s James Beckwith, who was just named UCP’s “Humanitarian of the Year”, along with the Executive Director of the American River Parkway Foundation, Dianna Poggetto.spoke with Kitty about the effort.
“I think we’re at a crisis level,” said Dianna Poggetto, executive director of the American River Parkway Foundation.
She said she hopes these numbers light a fire under city and county officials to move more quickly on plans to create shelters and affordable housing.
“No one wants a shelter in their community, but at the same time, if we don’t create shelters, then we’re not going to solve the problem,” Poggetto said. “These individuals need assistance, and we as a society should be able to assist them.”
