SANTA ANA, CA – On May 9, 2019, a Superior Court judge granted the City’s application for an Inspection and Abatement Warrant, which allows City staff to legally enter Union Pacific property and abate public nuisance or dangerous conditions, according to the City of Santa Ana.
On May 22, 2019 at approximately 8:00AM, over 50 City of Santa Ana staff (Code Enforcement, Police Department, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Community Development) as well as private contractors, began a large scale service of the inspection and abatement warrant at five locations within the city.
The locations impacted were:
• 1200-1300 E. Edinger
• 1716 S. Santa Fe
• 2500 S. Main/Goetz
• 1000-1100 E. Chestnut/Santa Fe
• 1200-1300 E. Warner
The warrant authorized City staff to enter the private property of Union Pacific Railroad, to perform inspections and abate any dangerous conditions. For example, at the 1200-1300 E. Edinger location (3 blocks south along the railroad right of way), staff discovered over 60 encampments/shanty’s occupied by 16 individuals. Trash and debris was strewn around the area. Staff determined it was imperative, for public health and safety, to immediately abate the dangerous condition. Public works crews and private contractors began cleanup efforts.
Police Officers and representatives of the Orange County Health Care Agency provided outreach to all 16 contacted individuals experiencing homelessness. None accepted services. One (1) individual was arrested for narcotics violations.
This abatement effort comes after months of repeated attempts to ensure that Union Pacific properly addresses their railroad right-of-ways in our City and hold them accountable for their property much like we do with any other property owner. Based on State law and the Santa Ana Municipal Code, the City will be billing Union Pacific for the recovery of the city’s costs required for abatement of these areas. These areas were chosen due to the high number of violations that were visible from the public right-of-way. This is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness and the quality of life of all residents.
More information about the totality of the operation will be forthcoming at operation conclusion.
About City of Santa Ana
Santa Ana is downtown for the world famous Orange County, California. As the County Seat, home to a vibrant evening scene and one of the most diverse communities in California, Santa Ana is gaining national attention for its efforts to innovate and address a changing County. Over 1,200 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at http://www.santa-ana.org.
I wonder how quick the city council would pass an ordinance to allow the police to more aggressively handle these people who are homeless. I know that there’s a bunch of lawyers who say the homeless have rights to the area however this is getting ridiculous. These lawyers live in Coto De Caza, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Anaheim Hills, Villa Park ect. What if these homeless encampments were relocated to their city or better yet in front of their homes. What rights would they have then? What if we put these homeless people in Floral Park in front of Pulido’s “residence” or in front of each council member’s residence and see how fast they get handled then. I’m getting tired of driving down First St between Main and the 5 fwy and seeing homeless setting up tents. I’m tired of all these damn RV’s with bicycles and other crap on top of it. The Police can only do so much, the city has to find another solution, and more shelters and more low income housing is NOT the answer.
This guy is 100 % correct. The people that live in that area can’t even walk their dogs because of homeless which are openly doing drugs in broad day. Crystal meth and heroin. The police ? Turn the other cheek. They rather leave them in the street instead of getting they car smelly. These homeless prostitutes and wannabe pimps have rights ? I say no and kick them out whenever I seen them. Call the cops and they show up the next day. Laughable stuff by the police. I say relocating them to these “ officials “ area doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all. Short little Pulido would understand the right ?
I don’t think you follow me. I’m not blaming the police. They’re restricted on what they can enforce. I blame the people in charge (IE City Council/voters) for allowing the city to be placed in this situation. California is way too liberal. When they legalized marijuana, they wrote the law in a way that decriminalized all other drugs. So now, if the police catch someone with heroin or cocaine, all they get is a misdemeanor citation which in the long run will turn into a warrant where they’ll get cited out again on. California in general needs to criminalize drugs again. The city council by making Santa Ana a “Sanctuary City” cost them a ton of funding. I read that the police had sanctuary policies in effect since the 70’s, so it was a mute point. All it did was cost Santa Ana federal money that they used to offset other poor decisions the city council had made. Personally, I was born, raised and still live in the city. I love this city. It’s just unfortunate that the people we put in charge have allowed it to get this way. I want the anti camping ordinances enforced. I want the Sanctuary title removed. I want the police to be able to enforce and hold people accountable again. The criminal justice system as a whole is broke, and these band aides people are putting on it are starting to tear. Santa Ana is a beautiful city, but I don’t know if this is where I want to raise kids now.