Santa Cruz City Mangler Closes Civic Auditorium Shelter

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https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2023/01/08/18853734.php

by Robert Norse (and Matt Huffaker) (rnorse3 [at] hotmail.com) Sun, Jan 8, 2023 2:28PM Yesterday, City Manager Matt Huffaker sent me his first-ever e-mail in response to my denunciation of the closing of the Civic Auditorium Emergency Shelter as torrential rains approach. E-Mail Sent to the Community (including City Manager Matt Huffaker):

LATE FLASH: The Civic Center Flooding and Wet Weather Emergency Pop-Up Shelter—open for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights—is reportedly closing down in spite of 8″ of predicted rain by Monday. A worker reports that folks were ousted at 9 AM on the order of the new Mayor (Fred Keeley), some still unable to secure their property indoors, though staff are within denying entrance (as of 1 p.m. Saturday). 

There is no indication that the Civic will reopen as emergency shelter in time for torrential rains predicted for early next week (as well as showers through the weekend)

So, the City is spending money harassing homeless folks in the rain (see below) but refuses to extend Civic Auditorium shelter in spite of flood conditions. 

City homeless funding is still unaccounted for. 

City shelter programs are inaccessible to the majority of those outside. 

Now, as for the last few years, there has been no drop-in winter shelter as in past years.

The City has refused to fund Brent Adams’ Footbridge Services—causing the only free storage program in town to shut down along with his laundry, women’s support, and other daily services.

To comment on this harsh but typical policy, contact City Mangler Matt Huffaker at mhuffaker [at] cityofsantacruz.com or the new Santa Cruz Mayor ‘Fast Lane’ Fred Keeley
at fkeeley [at] cityofsantacruz.com .

On the Thursday netshow described below there is also a brief interview with Arnie, a Civic Center Shelter occupant on Wednesday night, who reports he was harassed and directed to move along twice by police in the rain, and even threatened when under the parking garage shelter (“be gone by 8”). [Interview at https://www1.huffsantacruz.org/lost/1%20FRSC%201-5-23.mp3 (8 or so minutes into the audio file)]

THE CITY MANGLER’S REPLY
Mr. Norse,

To be clear, it was my decision, in consultation with our Emergency Operations Center Team, to close the temporary emergency shelter at the Civic Auditorium. While our team, with County support, did tremendous work to stand-up the shelter in short order, the Civic is too large and resource intensive to continue operating over an extended period. I want to recognize the many City staff that proactively worked to outreach to those in flood prone areas prior to the storm.

With that said, we are actively working with the County to stand-up additional warming centers. We will share more details with the community as these resources come online.

Take care, Matt

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
City of Santa Cruz
http://www.cityofsantacruz.com
831-420-5010



AFTERWORD

In response, I sent the following e-mail back:

Thanks for your prompt response, Matt. 

I have many questions regarding the City’s current shelter options and expenses. I’m hoping you’ll be able to direct me to the answers or provide them yourself in the days ahead. My first question, if you have a quick answer, is what was the per night expense of opening the Civic as Emergency Shelter? How does that compare with the total budget you’ve set aside for shelter (or more realistically, police expenses for harassing, citing, and/or arresting those unsheltered outside)? What would persuade you to open the Civic or its equivalent for tomorrow night and throughout the winter as emergency walk-in? What would be required in costs and volunteer labor? 

I ask these questions because they are not theoretical and have a direct impact upon those swept outside and the community generally. And they are, of course, time sensitive.

I’ll be playing your e-mail on tomorrow’s netcast at 9:30 AM on http://www.freakradio.net (archived at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html ) around the same time. I will add answers you provide to the netcast.

I’m also cc-ing our correspondence to other homeless activists for their thoughts.

Robert


So far I’ve heard nothing from him. For more information: http://www.huffsantacruz.org§Belated but Welcome Opening of Emergency Shelter at Depot Park by Robert Norse Mon, Jan 9, 2023 5:09PM

sm_scan_20230109.jpg

original image (850×1170) I wasn’t able to reach any additional City information at City of Santa Cruz Facebook page at the address mentioned on the attached flyer. However for those who have trouble reading the attached flyer, here is the text:

“Emergency Shelter at Depot Park! Temporary Emergency Shelter opening at 8 PM on Monday January 9, 2023, and operated by Santa Cruz Free Guide. the shelter will be in the Freight Building at Depot Park 119 Center St., Santa Cruz for anyone needing to get out of the rain overnight. This site will be open 8 pm – 8 am through Thursday, January 12th at 8 am.

For current information, see the city of Santa Cruz Facebook page at this address: http://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=santa%20cruz%20city%20government “


This half-assed response of an open-during-the-night-only shelter receives some pertinent and scathing comments on the City’s facebook page. Could the City Manager be trying to save face on the cheap?
http://www.huffsantacruz.org

HUFF glubs in tomorrow at 10:45 AM with coffee and crunchables at the Sub Rosa Cafe on January 12th (Thursday) 2023

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HUFF Agenda Prospects 1-12-23:

  ++++  Time keeper; Pass-arounds; street reports

  ++++  Sham Shelter Shenangans—the City plays possum as the disabled get drenched

  ++++  Felton Flatfoot Felonies: Helga Reports   

  ++++   Injunction Lawsuit Prerequisites: Need for warnings, notice, prior property damage, shelter exclusion, absence, or shortage

  ++++  1-11 SC Homeless Union cancelled “Community Action meeting” 5 pm  1-15-23  RCNV side room at 612 Ocean   Keith McHenry’s “Jailed for Serving Food While Ducking the Rain” Court Date Jan 30 8:30 AM

  ++++  Action? : Any ideas for action re: Moneyman Ratner or City Mangler on Winter Shelter Absence, Emergency Shelter Drenching & the pathetic soon-to-end Depot Park mini-Shelter?

  ++++  Updates: Meta, Steve C., wheelchair Steve on Shelter Shit if they or their advocates show up.

 ++++   Posting video of the Benchlands Demolition, Researching the Costs, & adding titles for infovideo  

 ++++   Tabling at Clock, Pogonip, Levee, elsewhere for Lawsuit Pressure and Survival Encampment Network

  ++++  Discussing the “What to Do when a Cop sez Move” flyer  

  ++++  Phone Contact:  Robbie Powelson’s Recent Court Hearing:  Possible Phone Update

  ++++  More phone fun: Rita of Salinas, Joy, Suzanne, Becky  

  ++++  Expanded Ukraine War with More Weapons, No Negotiations: Peace Demos 

  ++++  Benchlands phoning to follow-up contact list?  Callers still wanted.  

  ++++  Shelter copspots & wretched rules—reports?  Watchers wanted!  

  ++++  Updated SC Free Guide: www.santacruz:  Still looking for definitive answers

  ++++  Varied Strategies for Fighting Back:  (Loudmouth Tactics, Self-Starter Legal Options, Contact & Follow-Up, Community Support Gathering, Narrative Corrections Publicly); Laura & Rita:  “Know Your Rights” card progress

    ++++  RV crackdown on Delaware: Reggie M. call  

   ++++  RV Sanctuaries?  Armory, Overlook Camp, Overlook RV Camp, AFC camps: Rules & Reports    

   ++++  Possible Mad Power Committee Report (if any): Report that 5150’s now go directly to Dominican: Conservatorship C.A.R.E. courts, out-of-county deportation, inadequate Reiss protections; Carvalho update, Laura’s Update 

   ++++  Homeless Expenditure Data Cruncher Still Wanted   

USEFUL INFO 

  ++++ ” Santa Cruz City Mangler Closes Civic Auditorium Shelter” at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2023/01/08/18853734.php

  ++++ ” RV Human Rights Activist Challenges Santa Cruz City Police Violation” at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2023/01/11/18853776.php

  ++++ ” Wood Street not just an encampment” at https://www.pressreader.com/usa/san-francisco-chronicle-late-edition/20230105/281788518150472

  ++++  “Many Homeless tough out storm outside” at https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Bay-Area-homeless-people-tough-out-storm-outside-17695371.php

  ++++  “S.F. questions ban on clearing tent camps” at https://www.pressreader.com/usa/san-francisco-chronicle-late-edition/20230105/281586654687560

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides Show 1-8-23 headlines: City Mangler closes Emergency Civic Shelter & More! Flashback features artists Alex and Joff, Nick Voliach, Carol Denney, Tom Noddy, & Keith McHenry

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City Manager Matt Huffaker’s latest attack on homeless health and safety is described at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2023/01/08/18853734.php (Santa Cruz City Mangler Closes Civic Auditorium Closes Civic Auditorium)

The 1-8-23 Show includes:

The May 8, 2016 Flashback Show includes:

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides Show 1-5-23 is mainly a Flashback from November 8, 2007

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LATE FLASH:  The Civic Center Flooding and Wet Weather Emergency Pop-Up Shelter—open for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights—is reportedly closing down in spite of 8″ of predicted rain by Monday.  A worker reports that folks were ousted at 9 AM on the order of the new Mayor (Fred Keeley), some still unable to secure their property indoors, though staff are within denying entrance (as of 1 p.m. Saturday). 
There is no indication that the Civic will reopen as emergency shelter in time for torrential rains predicted for early next week (as well as showers through the weekend)
So, the City is spending money harassing homeless folks in the rain (see below) but refuses to extend Civic Auditorium shelter in spite of flood conditions. 
City homeless funding is still unaccounted for. 
City shelter programs are inaccessible to the majority of those outside. 
Now, as for the last few years, there has been no drop-in winter shelter as in past years.The City has refused to fund Brent Adams’ Footbridge Services—causing the only free storage program in town to shut down along with his laundry, women’s support, and other daily services.
To comment on this harsh but typical policy, contact City Mangler Matt Huffaker at mhuffaker@cityofsantacruz.com or the new Santa Cruz Mayor “Fast Lane'”Fred Keeley
at fkeeley@cityofsantacruz.com .


On the Thursday netshow described below there is also a brief interview with Arnie, a Civic Center Shelter occupant on Wednesday night, who reports he was harassed and directed to move along twice by police in the rain, and even threatened when under the parking garage shelter (“be gone by 8”).

In the November 8, 2007 Flashback:

  • Bathrobespierre Robert fires “where can the homeless go during the possibly toxic Light Brown Apple Moth spraying” to then-Councilmember Tony Madrigal.  Madrigal, to his credit, was out tabling, giving out masks, and expressing public concern about the spraying (also opposed by the City Council).  However, he had no particular interest in pressing publicly for shelter from the spraying—even in the parking garages.
  • Callers express their outrage and provide updates.  Among them “Dangerous John” Thielking, Visionsong Valerie Christy, Skidmark Bob Duran, Mad but Mindful Maddison, and others.
  • President Bush’s boys defend waterboarding, a bit of its history.

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides Show 1-1-23 will be available as an archive at 9:30 AM: Berkeley’s Cornerstone Carol, Santa Cruz’s Katzenjammer Keith, the HUFF gang, and more!

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On the 1-1-23 show: 

  • A few new laws for 2023:  https://apnews.com/article/abortion-california-law-enforcement-gavin-newsom-04d3681d700b4ee8e994d8d16b215ffa
  • “Caught but Carefree” Keith McHenry on his 12-27 “serving food out of the rain in Public parking lot #10” arrest by SCPD Officer Denise Cockrum and his subsequent powwow with Top Cop Escalante & more
  • SC Homeless Union acolyte Shane Braden (aka Casper) on police problems for doing push-up’s at the Metro
  • Roxray the Bestboy Hanton on a racially motivated stop or two and some tattoo checks by curious cops
  • Joe, Dreamcatcher, Drew, and an anonymous videoster on Cockrum’s timely handcuffing of McHenry for unauthorized use of public space in the rain.
  • Cornerstone Carol Denney on Mayor Arreguin’s betrayal of his progressive fans in the class war against the poor
  • Sharpheart Suzanne brings up the case of wheelchair Steve “exited” from Housing (Funding) Matters
  • The unexpurgated HUFF meeting from 1-1-2023 (long)

HUFF swims in tomorrow at 10:45 AM at the warm comfy and coffee-laden Sub Rosa Cafe on January 5th (Thursday) 2023

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HUFF Agenda Prospects 1-5-22    

  ++++  Time keeper; Pass-arounds; street reports

  ++++  Rain reports of police action in the Parking Lots; Civic Auditorium Shelter Report 

  ++++  Felton Update: Helga     

  ++++   Updates on Injunction Lawsuit: Need for warnings, notice, prior property damage, shelter exclusion, absence, or shortage

  ++++  No indication of SC Homeless Union Return though “Community Action meeting” 5 pm  1-15-23  RCNV side room at 612 Ocean  

  ++++  Action? : Any ideas for action re: Moneyman Ratner or City Mangler on Winter Shelter Absence, given the new Civic Auditorium one-night shelter. 

  ++++  Updates from Meta, Steve C. on Slippery Shelter Shenanigans perhaps if they show up.

  ++++  Responding to and judging the McHenry Parking Garage arrest

 ++++   Posting the Benchlands Demolition, Researching the Costs, and adding it to an informational video  

 ++++   Tabling at Clock, Pogonip, Levee, elsewhere for Lawsuit Pressure  

  ++++  Discussing the “What to Do when a Cop sez Move” flyer  

  ++++  Phone Contact:  Robbie Paulson’s Recent Court Hearing:  Phone Update

  ++++  More phone fun: Rita of Salinas, Joy, Suzanne, Becky  

  ++++  Ukraine War Updates: Peace Demos 

  ++++  Benchlands follow-up contact list?  Callers still wanted.  

  ++++  Shelter shuffling—reports?  Watchers wanted!   

  ++++  Disability Rights Contacts for Lawsuit

  ++++  Updated SC Free Guide: www.santacruz:  How accurate now? 

  ++++  Varied Strategies for Fighting Back:  (Loudmouth Tactics, Self-Starter Legal Options, Contact & Follow-Up, Community Support Gathering, Narrative Corrections Publicly); Laura & Rita:  “Know Your Rights” card progress 

  ++++  New Year’s Eve Report for those on the street 

    ++++  RV crackdown on Delaware: Reggie M. call  

   ++++  Armory, Overlook Camp, Overlook RV Camp, AFC camps: Rules & Reports    

   ++++  Possible Mad Power Committee Report (if any): Report that 5150’s now go directly to Dominican: Conservatorship C.A.R.E. courts, out-of-county deportation, inadequate Reiss protections; Carvalho update,  

   ++++  Homeless Expenditure Data Cruncher Still Wanted   

USEFUL INFO 

  ++++  “Funding Matters” Homeless Memorial 2022   :  

  ++++  Town Clock- Homeless Union/Food Not Bombs Memorial 2022: 

   ++++   Most of the Last HUFF Meeting (12-29-22): https://www1.huffsantacruz.org/lost/FRSC%201-1-23.mp3 (3 hours, 30 minutes or so into the fileP)

  ++++   Blast and Background from “Backstory” Brent Adams:  https://www1.huffsantacruz.org/lost/1%20FRSC%2012-18-22.mp3  (31 minutes in; 105 minutes in) 

  ++++  Court implements Boise v. Martin decision in S.F. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-could-be-banned-temporarily-from-clearing-17672846.php 

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides Net Radio Show for 12-29-22 will stream and be available as an archive by 6 PM today: The show runs 2 hours and Flashes Back to December 21, 2006

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Included in the December 21, 2006 show: 


Nick, who lost his Marine sister in Iraq by car bomb, sits on Pacific Avenue with a “testing human kindness” sign against the Iraq war.

Jeremy Alderson of the Annual Homelessness Marathon critiques Poverty Pimps on Coalition Boards.

Fresno homeless activist & survivor Pamela Kincaid reports on fighting for survival against the Fresno Police Department 

Fresno Community Alliance Journalist and activist Michael Rhodes on legal successes against those bulldozing the homeless there

S.C. Chief Ranger Wallace’s abusive ticketing record revealed;

Activist Becky Johnson calls in reading Presiding Judge Morse’s 11-14-06 order setting a new civil collection process for Failures to Appear on infractions

$2520: the cost to get Public Records on Sleeping Tickets!

Scotts Valley City Council’s 2nd and Final Reading of its Homeless Camping Ban

Norse on Scotts Valley Police Chief John Weiss

HUFF groans in the New Year with cookies, coffee, and consternation: Thursday December 29th 10:45 a.m – 1 p.m. and beyond 703 Pacific next to the Bike Church at the Sub Rosa Cafe

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HUFF Agenda Prospects 12-29-22    

  ++++  Time keeper; Pass-arounds; street reports    

  ++++    Returning to Lawsuit Lane: Gathering Shelter Fables Info 

  ++++  SC Homeless Union Return?  Next meeting likely 1-15-23  RCNV side room at 612 Ocean  

  ++++  Action? : Still need Prep for Questioning Moneyman Ratner or City Mangler on Winter Shelter Absence  

  ++++  Updates from Meta, Steve C. on Slippery Shelter Shenanigans

  ++++  McHenry of Food Not Bombs arrested for serving food in sheltered parking garage during rain 

 ++++  Graduate Student Strike Update   

 ++++  Tabling at Pogonip, Levee, elsewhere for Lawsuit Pressure  

  ++++  Update on “What to Do when a Cop sez Move”: Laura, Robert  

  ++++  Phone Contact:  Rita of Salinas, Wes, Keith, Joy, Suzanne, Becky  

  ++++  Nuke War Threat in Ukraine War  

  ++++  Benchlands follow-up contact list?  Callers still wanted.  

  ++++  Shelter shuffling—reports?  Watchers wanted!   

  ++++  Lawsuit prospects: Contact with Disability Rights, State Lawyers Group ?  

  ++++  Updated SC Free Guide: www.santacruz:  How accurate? 

  ++++  Varied Strategies for Fighting Back:  (Loudmouth Tactics, Self-Starter Legal Options, Contact & Follow-Up, Community Support Gathering, Narrative Corrections Publicly); Laura & Rita:  “Know Your Rights” card progress 

  ++++  Felton Update: Helga  

  ++++  Upcoming New Year’s Eve Downtown Ordinance Penalties:  

  ++++  More Rain & Cold Weather Coming: Warming Center Prospects?  

https://www1.huffsantacruz.org/lost/FRSC%2012-01-22.mp3 .  

    ++++  RV crackdown on Delaware: Reggie M. call  

   ++++  Armory, Overlook Camp, Overlook RV Camp, AFC camps: Rules & Reports    

   ++++  Possible Mad Power Committee Report (if any): Report that 5150’s now go directly to Dominican:  Conservatorship C.A.R.E. courts, out-of-county deportation, inadequate Reiss protections; Carvalho update,  

   ++++  Homeless Expenditure Data Cruncher Still Wanted   

   ++++  Portland, OR Homeless camps cleared:  https://kobi5.com/news/homeless-camps-cleared-from-portland-neighborhood-200587/  

  ++++Portland, OR Concentration Camps Protested:   

https://www.nbcrightnow.com/national/homeless-vote-in-portland-oregon-delayed-in-angry-meeting/article_1ac83b05-ed7b-56c3-a90c-68da7d0b635b.html    https://www.streetroots.org/news/2022/11/30/Margaux-weeke-resignation-dan-ryan-mass-camps   

ADDITIONAL INFO 

  ++++  “Funding Matters” Homeless Memorial 2022   :  

  ++++  Town Clock- Homeless Union/Food Not Bombs Memorial 2022: 

   ++++   Most of the Last HUFF Meeting (12-15): https://www1.huffsantacruz.org/lost/2%20FRSC%2012-15-22.mp3  

  ++++   Blast and Background from “Backstory” Brent Adams:  https://www1.huffsantacruz.org/lost/1%20FRSC%2012-18-22.mp3  (31 minutes in; 105 minutes in) 

  ++++  Court implements Boise v. Martin decision in S.F. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-could-be-banned-temporarily-from-clearing-17672846.php 

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides features The Santa Cruz Homeless Dead 2022 and a Flashback to June 17, 2012

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On the 12-25-22 show:

  • 12-21 Bathrobespierre surveys the Service Providers Homeless Memorial.  See https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2022/12/25/18853585.php?show_comments=1#18853596
  • [12-16] Dr. Bill Adamsky on metermaid meddling and the free Humanistic Ontology Institute
  • [12-20] Brandon Gonzales on his year-long struggle with the D.A., psychatric authorities, and the police. 
  • [12-20] Bartender Jake on post-meal problems from the homeless at the Food Not Bombs meal
  • [12-20] Other voices in the FNB vicinity: Lee Ivy, Pam, & Joe (another death Andy Davis at age 80)
  • “Still smilin'” Suzanne on Shelters and Homeless Pet Companion problems

Flashback to 6-17-12 show:

  • Mia Della Rosa and Devon on Mia’s expulsion for helping wheelchair Steve shower + positive staff stuff at the Homeless [Lack of] Services Center
  • Reports of homeless folks being banned from the Shannon Collins memorial https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/06/10/18715102.php
  • Brian on his bike journey from Eugene.

  • “Lighthouse Linda” Lemaster & Steve Pleich on Gary Johnson’s refusal to accept probation for sleepcrime on a bench and appealing her “illegal lodging” conviction. 
  • Andrea Morgan on her conversation with Mayor Don Lane about lack of disabled services.
  • Arden on police and official efforts to drive the Jabberwock sundries store out of the downtown.  
  • Shawn on harassment for signature gathering in front of New Leaf Market
  • Tom, alcoholic but attempted defender of Shannon Collins as she was being stabbed, later denied access to her memorial.

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides Net Radio Show for 12-22-22. The show is a Flashback to March 16, 2017 featuring Abbi Samuels and Keith McHenry on the expanding Freedom Sleepers cause

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This Flashback show to March 16, 2017 includes:

Increasing numbers extend the Tuesday Freedom Sleeper protest at City Hall to the following nights—report by Keith McHenry and Abbi Samuels.

Abbi Samuels covers court consequences to F.S. cites.

Wes and Dread on the Salinas Chinatown Crackdown.

Forbidden Fence Rises at the main Santa Cruz Post Office: Interviews with Julie S, Tim R., Roberta, Michele B, Isaac C., Keith M. and others.