Photo by Igmar Rodas
If you saw the caution tape around Santa Ana’s Civic Center this morning please don’t panic. It is just an SAPD training exercise, according to my sources.
The Civic Center has become a real problem over the past year as the homeless population has exploded. Just a few weeks ago an altercation between SAPD police officers and a homeless man led to a police shooting. The homeless man died as a result of his injuries. Continue reading
Homelessness: Supervisor Andrew Do asks for public’s support for 300-bed homeless shelter
At Tuesday’s meeting, OC to consider $1.4 million contract with Midnight Mission to run 300-bed shelter with 24-7 security
(Santa Ana, California)— Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do is presenting for public input his ambitious plan to turn an abandoned bus terminal into a homeless shelter — within 30 days.
On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors will vote on a $1.4 million contract with Midnight Mission to run a 300-bed homeless shelter with round-the-clock security as well as job training services, permanent housing options, health care, mental health services, substance abuse treatment and veteran assistance services. Continue reading
Transitional Center for Civic Center Homeless Readied for Opening
Comprehensive Civic Center Survey Released
Two contracts for the operation of a round-the-clock transitional center with emergency shelter beds and enhanced services will be considered Tuesday by the Orange County Board of Supervisors for the former Santa Ana Transit Terminal, which has been renamed “The Courtyard.”
The plan to use the former terminal was proposed by Supervisor Andrew Do at a special Board meeting earlier this month, with a directive to open the center within 30 days providing access to showers, food programs, storage and comprehensive service referrals. Public restrooms have been available at the former bus terminal since 2009; in August, the County installed additional portable toilets. Continue reading
The Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved their new Civic Center Safety and Security Program at their meeting last night, according to the O.C. Register.
Two weeks after City Council members declared a “public health and safety homeless crisis” at the Civic Center, they’ve approved a program with the county to enhance safety and security in the area. Continue reading
Something awesome is going to happen! Working and partnering with our homeless and community! Together we’re going to “Turn It Around!”
Join Operation Warm Wishes and our homeless on Saturday, September 17th 2016 at 6:00 a.m as we come together to clean the Santa Ana Civic Center! Continue reading
Homelessness: Orange County Approves Supervisor Andrew Do’s Plan to Turn Bus Terminal into Transitional Homeless Shelter
(Santa Ana, California)— At a special meeting of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, a unanimous board approved Supervisor Andrew Do’s plan to turn the Santa Ana Transit Terminal into a transitional homeless shelter.
“Our community is tired of talk; Orange County wants action,” said Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do, who has made tackling homelessness his primary focus during his eighteen months on the board. “By turning this transit terminal into a homeless shelter, we are creating a safe place to help Orange County’s homeless get off the streets and onto a productive path.” Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2016
CONTACT: Alma Flores, Communications Manager, City of Santa Ana (714) 647-5200, aflores@santa-ana.org
Mayor Pro Tem Sarmiento along with Councilmembers Martinez and Reyna Seek to Declare Public Health and Safety Crisis Related to Homelessness
Urging County of Orange to Open Former Transit Terminal for Homeless Services
Santa Ana, CA – Facing mounting public health and safety impacts in the Civic Center and throughout Santa Ana, Mayor Pro Tem Vicente Sarmiento, Councilwoman Michele Martinez and Councilmember Roman Reyna will bring forward a resolution before the Santa Ana City Council declaring a public health and safety crisis related to the large concentration of homeless and urging the County of Orange to take immediate action to provide services to the homeless at the Santa Ana Transit Terminal which the County owns and controls. The item will appear on the September 6th Council Agenda for consideration of the full City Council. The resolution also calls for a number of improvements to enhance public health and safety within the Civic Center and for the support of all Orange County cities to adopt a resolution encouraging action by the County of Orange. Continue reading
Santa Ana City Council Member Michele Martinez, who is running for the First District of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, appeared on the John and Ken radio show yesterday afternoon, on AM 640. I don’t think she knew in advance that John and Ken are conservatives – and they only invite politicians onto their show to embarrass them. The interview was hard to listen to as John and Ken yelled at Martinez throughout the interview and barely let her get a word in edgewise. You can hear the interview here.
The issue they were upset about is the homeless problem at Santa Ana’s Civic Center. If you have not been out there recently you will be amazed and disgusted by the situation. Our Civic Center has essentially become a homeless camp with trash and human waste all over the place. The matter has been somewhat improved with the addition of more portable bathrooms but it is still far from optimal and is certainly not safe for those who have business at the Civic Center. Continue reading
Last night at about 9:30 p.m., a University of California Irvine (UCI) student was conducting interviews of the homeless population in the Civic Center area. Near the Santa Ana Library area, a suspect grabbed the student’s personal bag that was on yhe ground and ran away. Continue reading
Tackling Homelessness: County of Orange to Install New Bathrooms at Civic Center – Providing 24/7 Access for Homeless
By: First District Supervisor Andrew Do
(Santa Ana, California)— As part of its comprehensive response to homelessness, the County of Orange is moving forward with plans to install new bathrooms at the Orange County Civic Center, providing 24-hour access for hundreds of people who are currently homeless.
Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do, who has spearheaded the county’s homeless response, said that bathroom access is one of the most frequent complaints he’s heard from his discussions with homeless residents. Continue reading
Starting in February 2016, a group of UCI Med Students started operating a Needle Exchange in the Santa Ana Civic Center. Over the past few months, there have been numerous used needles found inside the Santa Ana Main Library, and a few needle-stick injuries in the Civic Center.
Those needle-stick injuries are not pleasant. The victims have to undergo blood-testing and they have to use condoms with their sexual partners. The victims could be exposed to HIV and Hepatitis. Continue reading
BREAKING NEWS – Richard Gene Swihart, a 32-year-old homeless man, has been shot by an SAPD police officer, at Santa Ana’s Plaza of the Flags, at the Civic Center. The man was hit in the upper torso and was undergoing surgery, according to the O.C. Register.
The O.C. Register has confirmed that the shooting was by an SAPD police officer, outside the courthouse. Continue reading
Supervisors Will Discuss Potential for New 20-Year Orange County Civic Center Master Plan
An ambitious 20-year master plan that proposes to revamp and reorganize County government services within the Orange County Civic Center in Santa Ana will be presented for review on Tuesday, February 23, during a special study session before the Board of Supervisors.
The proposal was developed by a working group that includes Supervisor Andrew Do, First District, and Supervisor Shawn Nelson, Fourth District, as well as County Executive Officer Frank Kim and members of his executive team. Representatives from consultant Griffin Structures (Griffin) also participated. Continue reading
I get a little tired about the constant bashing of Santa Ana. Yes the ongoing gang war sucks but there is still a lot to love about our city, such as:
$3 movies at the MainPlace Mall
When a new movie comes out my kids and I will quickly label it as either a “must-see” or a “$3 movie.” Most films are in the latter category (and a lot of them end up on our Redbox and Netflix list). While I would love it if there was a first run movie theater in Santa Ana I really like being able to go to the Picture Show at the MainPlace Mall to see movies that have been out for a few weeks, if not months, for only $3 (and only $2 on Tuesdays).
The MainPlace Mall
I really dislike South Coast Plaza. Who can afford what the stores there have to offer? But the MainPlace Mall is just the ticket with a decent array of stores and anchors and a great food selection that now includes wood-fired pizza at Blaze Pizza and bbq ribs at the new Lucille’s. There is ample parking and two frozen yogurt places – plus my eye doctor. The previous owners of the MainPlace Mall, Westfield, just sold the shopping center to a group of developers. I hope they don’t mess it up! Continue reading
A rally will be taking place in Santa Ana on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015, at 9 a.m., at the Orange County Hall of Administration, located at Building 19 at the Santa Ana Civic Center, in support of the proposed homeless shelter at Kraemer Place, in Anaheim.
The residents that live in the areas surrounding the location of the proposed homeless shelter have thus far shown up in great numbers to voice their opposition to the location of the shelter at several forums held over the past few months. Continue reading