The fight over Sacramento’s response to its homeless crisis is escalating. Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho says “indecisions” made by the city make him reluctant to partner on the issue.
DA Thien Ho learned from the city attorney that police have not been enforcing the city’s ordinance banning homeless camps from blocking sidewalks. He’s asking if there’s a “concerted effort” by the mayor and City Hall to stop police from enforcing the law.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg’s office has responded by denying the notion, saying the city council made it clear that they preferred voluntary compliance and that citations are the last resort because the homeless often don’t have the means to pay fines.
The DA sent a letter Monday to the city notifying them that he plans to file charges against city officials if they don’t comply with a long list of his demands.