Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: homeless

Santa Ana creates a Quality of Life Team to deal with complaints about the homeless

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, homeless, Santa Ana Leave a comment

In response to increased concerns regarding the County of Orange’s decision to displace a large volume of individuals currently residing along the Santa Ana Riverbed, a Quality of Life Team (QOLT) was established.

Starting on January 22, 2018, the City of Santa Ana adopted and kicked off this “pilot” interdepartmental team to address quality of life issues throughout the City that will run for a period of 30 days utilizing existing resources. This group was comprised of staff from the offices of SAPD, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Community Development , Community Preservation , City Attorney and the City Manager. Continue reading→

Orange County establishes a newly restructured commission to end homelessness

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On January 23, 2018, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the formation of the newly restructured Commission to End Homelessness, representing a transition to a regional, systems-based approach to solving homelessness.

The Board approved a Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in 2012, and the previously existing commission, community partners and governmental agencies have made several strides in the implementation of the plan’s goals. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man arrested for allegedly a couple and burning their tent

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fires, homeless, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives And OCFA Arson Investigators Make An Arrest In Attempted Murder/Arson Case

Suspect/Arrested: James Anthony Lawlor (35) Santa Ana

On Friday, 01/19/2018 at 8:20 am, SAPD officers responded to the vacant lot in the 1300 block of West Tolliver for a tent fire. Officers located the fire and two victims, one male and one female, who advised they were inside their tent when the suspect, who they described as male Hispanic, 35-40 years old, wearing black slacks and a black coat, approached their tent. The suspect then told the occupants they had 15 minutes to leave the area or he would return with his Glock handgun. The male occupant in the tent stuck his head out to talk to the suspect and was immediately kicked twice on the head by the suspect. Continue reading→

The OC Supervisors direct $15M for mental health housing to aid the homeless

Posted on by Posted in Andrew Do, homeless, Mental Health, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Chairman Andrew Do and Vice Chairman Shawn Nelson directed the Orange County Health Care Agency to use $15 million of available unspent Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds for mental health housing projects. This funding is aimed at increasing the number of mental health housing units available in Orange County to house chronically homeless individuals with severe mental illnesses.

The directive was introduced by Chairman Andrew Do and seconded by Vice Chairman Shawn Nelson, both of whom have worked collaboratively to bring this to the Board of Supervisors. The Board approved the motion unanimously. This additional funding will be critical in completing future projects for MHSA Housing. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s Com Link Forum to address homelessness at a Jan. 25 meeting

Posted on by Posted in homeless, Neighborhood Associations, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Thursday, January 25th at 7 p.m. – Join Santa Ana’s Communication Linkages Forum for a meeting to learn more about what is being done to address:

  • Addressing homelessness in all areas of our city including a homelessness panel discussion
  • Update on the status of proposed city ordinance to regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s – Granny Flats)
  • Update on the status of proposed city ordinance to regulate mobile food vendors
  • Healthcare – flu update
  • “Neighbor to Neighbor” Segment & Announcements

Continue reading→

How many people have to die on Santa Ana’s streets?

Posted on by Posted in homeless, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Jimmy was a black homeless man who stayed near Warner and Bristol and was often seen in a wheelchair. He had been around this area for some time and many knew him. Unfortunately, he lost his life on December 26th near the shopping center at Warner and Pacific.

Last year, a Santa Ana resident who saw Jimmy living on the sidewalk along Warner Ave. reached out to the city asking them to help Jimmy get into a shelter. The city contacted Jimmy several times and he finally agreed to allow them to take him to the Courtyard shelter in downtown Santa Ana. Unfortunately, Jimmy only stayed at the shelter a short time, and decided to go back to Warner and Bristol. Continue reading→

Homeless Santa Ana man charged with possessing two guns and boxes of ammo

Posted on by Posted in Crime, homeless, OC Sheriff, Orange, Santa Ana 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 10, 2018

Case # 18CF0134

HOMELESS MAN LIVING ON SANTA ANA RIVER TRAIL IN ORANGE CHARGED WITH POSSESSING TWO FIREARMS AND MULTIPLE BOXES OF AMMUNITION INSIDE HIS TENT

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A homeless man living on the Santa Ana River Trail (SART) in Orange was charged yesterday with possessing two firearms and two boxes of ammunition.

Defendant: Jeffrey Richard Lundell, 47, Santa Ana

Charged yesterday with: Continue reading→

Why is the City of Santa Ana misleading us about Hepatitis A cases in Orange County?

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Disease, Drugs, homeless, OC Health Care, Orange County, Robert Cortez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Is the city of Santa Ana telling us the truth about Hepatitis A?

A recent article on the homeless encampments in the Civic Center quotes Robert Cortez from the City Manager’s office:

“Cortez said city leaders are concerned about disease as a statewide outbreak of hepatitis that started in a San Diego homeless encampment and spread to Los Angeles and beyond. So far 672 have been reported statewide, but none in Orange County.” Continue reading→

The OC Rescue Mission needs Thanksgiving donations

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Food, homeless, Santa Ana, Tustin Leave a comment

FOOD SHORTAGE: OC RESCUE MISSION CALLS ON COMMUNITY FOR URGENTLY NEEDED THANKSGIVING DONATIONS

As the holidays quickly approach, the Orange County Rescue Mission is preparing to host its 52nd annual Thanksgiving dinner, which will feed more than 660 homeless families and individuals in the region. Today, the organization has announced an urgent need for food donations from the local community.

“Thanksgiving dinner is an important gathering for both the Village of Hope residents and those living in surrounding areas, many of whom have never had the opportunity to take part in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner,” says Jim Palmer, President of the Orange County Rescue Mission. “We are currently experiencing a shortage of food, and we urgently need the help of the community in order to provide a memorable holiday experience for these men, women, and children in need.”

The Rescue Mission is currently in need of: Continue reading→

Don’t miss the franken-tastic fun at OC Rescue Mission’s 2nd Annual Trunk-n-Treat

Posted on by Posted in Family, homeless, Tustin Leave a comment

Don’t Miss the Franken-tastic Fun at OC Rescue Mission’s 2nd Annual Trunk-n-Treat!

Looking for a frightfully fun way to spend time with the whole family this Halloween? Join the OC Rescue Mission on Tuesday, October 31 from 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. for its 2nd Annual Trunk-n-Treat event!

Located at the Village of Hope, this spook-takular event will be filled with lots of spooky fun, including games, prizes, music, food, and a dunk tank for all to enjoy! Continue reading→

The County will begin clearing the homeless out of the Santa Ana River Trail this Friday

Posted on by Posted in Crime, homeless, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

County Announces Enforcement of Public Hours, Closure of One Area Along Santa Ana River Trail

Santa Ana, CA (Oct. 30, 2017) — On Friday, November 3, 2017, the County of Orange will begin active enforcement of public hours along the recreational Santa Ana River Trail (SART) that runs adjacent to the Santa Ana River flood control channel. In addition, beginning November 10, the County will permanently close to public use the west side of the flood control channel between 17th Street and Adams Avenue in the City of Fountain Valley.

OC Parks and the Orange County Flood Control District have had permanently posted signage declaring the public access hours along the entirety of the trail, though the hours have been inconsistently enforced. The public access hours will remain the same as currently posted, November 1-February 28 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 1-October 31 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Starting November 3, 2017, individuals who access the SART outside of the posted hours will be in violation of state trespass laws and subject to citation. Continue reading→

A homeless man on a bike was killed when he cut into traffic in south Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Bicycles, homeless, Santa Ana 1 Comment

David Lee Macmillian, a 54-year-old homeless man, died Thursday evening, Oct. 26, hours after trying to ride his bicycle through opposing vehicle traffic and colliding with a Corvette, according to the O.C. Register.

Macmillian was apparently riding his bike north on the southbound side of Main St., on the sidewalk on Thursday night, at 6:46 p.m. Then he left the sidewalk and tried to cut through traffic, as he was riding his bike northeast near West Columbine Ave. That is when a yellow 2005 Corvette that was heading north on Main collided into him, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

The OC Sheriff has arrested over 180 homeless criminals at the Santa Ana Riverbed

Posted on by Posted in Crime, homeless, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Update on Sheriff’s Department enhanced homeless outreach

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Oct. 26, 2017) – After seven weeks of an enhanced enforcement presence along the Santa Ana Riverbed and in County flood control channels, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, along with partner law enforcement agencies from Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana and Fountain Valley, has made 180 arrests and, in concert with other agencies and organizations, offered services and resources to hundreds.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department on Sept. 6 increased efforts along the riverbed, and on Sept. 16 launched an enhanced deployment to target the criminal element proliferating in homeless encampments, while continuing to offer services and resources for those living along the riverbed. Continue reading→

A transient was arrested after he allegedly attacked a Jack-in-the Box customer in Costa Mesa

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, homeless Leave a comment

Renato Gonzalez, a 35-year old transient, was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of attacking a Jack-in-the-Box customer, ransacking a 7-11 and then assaulting a police officer, according to the O.C. Register.

Gonzalez is now facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon, battery on a peace officer and violently resisting arrest, according to the Costa Mesa police. Continue reading→