Santa Cruz County Homeless Union President Launches RV Park-In Protest

This morning, homeless activist Alicia Kuhl posted the following facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/388202455136850/

"Park In/Protest. We are hosting a 72 hour park in on the corner of Woodrow & Westcliff near the end of Pelton. Starting tonight for 72 hours. Please come and park, share food, talk, or just park. Bring signs that say we have a right to park for 72 hours, harassment is illegal, everybody has a right to live etc. See you there. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Fight Poverty NOT The Poor! Can you hear me?????"

Alicia advised me by phone that she had contacted the SCPD after recent harassment from a neighbor posting a "We Watch Our Area; This is Not a Campground" notice on her car. She had a fifteen minute phone conversation with an officer she described as condescending and dismissing. She and other vehicle dwellers decided it was time to renew a basic public demands on Chief Andy Mills' department--originally made months ago.

The demand: that Mills direct his officers to advise vigilantes calling in with repeated (and often false) complaints that false complaints to the police are a misdemeanor and punishable by fine and imprisonment. In the past, Kuhl reports experiencing repeated contacts with police who warn her they've been told her RV was parked past the 72 hour limit. Alicia claims these are repeated false complaints--since she moves her RV regularly.

West Side Neighbors, local anti-homeless NIMBY's, have been organizing apparently to map out "strategies" of harassment. See at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/05/16/18823461.php .

EARLIER PRESS CONFERENCE WITH CHIEF MILLS
The issue has been the subject of a publicized press conference and debate in front of the police station with Chief Andy Mills. See
"Sentinel presents Sympathetic Story on Van Dweller Harassment, Ducks Police Accountability at "https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/01/19/18820463.php

"The Vandwellers Meet the Police Chief: Relearning Sad Facts" at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/01/16/18820421.php .

"Clarifying RV Dwellers Rights in Santa Cruz " at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/01/07/18820149.php .

Most of the Mills-RV meeting was videoed by Salinas Union of the Homeless activist Wes White and is posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOMxmjPs40Y&feature=youtu.be .

Instead of cautioning the public to respect the rights of those whose only homes are vehicles, Mills praised the work of one of the more notorious anti-homeless RV taggers, Joe Haebe. See See https://www.facebook.com/santacruzpolice/ January 9th "Officer of the Month Awarded to Joe Haebe"

KUHL RAISES ISSUE AT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Recently, Kuhl took the issue to City Council's Public Safety Committee [PSC] hearing on 6-24. See "Santa Cruz Homeless Advocates Push Back Against Vigilante Comments" at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2019/06/09/18823813.php .

Though PSC staffer Susie O'Hara, notable for her false statements regarding available shelter in federal court, has still not posted the audio of this hearing on line, part of it is available at http://huffsantacruz.org/lost/frsc%206-27-19.mp3 .

Vehicle dwellers and those concerned with the issue, are urged to join the three day protest, slated to begin tonight July 2 and last through Friday. An earlier flyer providing more information is available at https://www.indybay.org/uploads/2019/01/22/mlk_flyer_2_types_for_vehicles.pdf . However, the new contact number for the SC Homeless Union is 831-431-7766 for those reporting harassment, providing support, or seeking information.