Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/category/topics/public-safety/page/2/)
“We don’t have sufficient capacity,” said the supervisors’ chairman, Andrew Do. The issue is scheduled to be discussed Tuesday at a federal court hearing with U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, county officials, and city officials from across Orange County.
“What we saw with…the hysteria from Irvine, is this: It’s simply a class-based argument that if ‘I pay enough for where I live, I shouldn’t have to deal with my homeless problem. I should shift it to some other city,’ ” said county Supervisor Andrew Do.
Answers about where shelters might be placed, and how they would be operated, could come at an April 3 court meeting.
A controversial attorney and candidate for District Attorney, Lenore Albert-Sheridan, currently is suspended from practicing law by the California State Bar. A lawsuit filed last week is attempting to remove her from the June primary election ballot.
At least 250 people protested Sunday against plans for a homeless shelter at a former military base in Irvine, raising concerns about drug use and potential risks to children in nearby athletic fields and neighborhoods. Supervisor Shawn Nelson said no drug use or sex offenders would be allowed in the shelter.
Judge David O. Carter noted county officials had 30 days to prepare for the new shelter beds. His announcement puts pressure on the supervisors to have a plan ready before an April 3 meeting with Carter and city officials.
Orange County’s top law enforcement jobs could be hotly contested races this year as four candidates, including District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, are running for DA and three contenders want to replace Sandra Hutchens as Sheriff.
Orange County supervisors appear to have at least $230 million in unspent money they can use, in collaboration with other officials and community groups, to help address homelessness, a Voice of OC examination of county government finances has found.
Orange County Sunday wrapped up the eviction of hundreds of homeless people from camps along the Santa Ana riverbed, finding motel and other shelter for more than 700 and clearing away tents and canopies that lined the riverbank near Angel Stadium for at least two years.
One man died from an early Friday morning fight in the Santa Ana riverbed homeless encampment, but the cause of death is still unclear as the county attorney said it was a stabbing, while the Sheriff’s department could not confirm that.