RogerBy Roger the Scanner Guy
Every time the homeless count is done throughout the county of Santa Barbara, I think it is inaccurate. It seems to me with all these camps along the RailRoad tracks, along the 101 Freeway, the beach, up in the hills, in neighborhoods, under bridges, in cars, RV’s, it seems there would be many more people than what the usual count is. I have been with Edhat for 10 years now but started listening to the police scanner on a steady basis in Santa Barbara in 1987. Through the years of listening to the scanner, I noticed a large growth rate of Homelessness since the Homeless Shelter on Cacique Street was opened. There has been a steady climb through the years in many areas of the city and Goleta. I think many homeless folks keep to themselves but there are encampments of homeless folk, communities springing up more. It is better to live in a community I think than to be camping alone, safety in numbers. With all the opinions shooting left right and where ever else concerning the subject of homelessness, it is necessary to know the legalities concerning being homeless, where it is legal where it is not. Some people say “Throw them out, no excuses!” Well it’s not legal to do that. You can’t just throw people out of town without getting in trouble yourself and you cannot expect the police to do it either, they work for everyone not just some folks.
With all these camps in different places the best thing the powers that be can do to regulate them is to know exactly where they are and check on the sites on a regular basis. Someone suggested in the comments to take pictures and let the police know where they are. Believe it or not I think the police know where most camps are, still I’m sure they would not mind the help. This is why I have always been for larger camps run like a State Park, it would be easier, in my opinion, to have a couple larger camps with most campers in them, then with many camps spread out all over a city or town. Not everyone would stay in one place but many would I think, especially if there were showers, a place to wash clothing, a place to chow down on some grub there, or nearby. Concerning these large encampments like the one near Ellwood Station Road where there was a fire the other day, since they are allowed to exist why are they not cleaner? Why the stacks of garbage and junk? It’s one thing to camp I have no problem with folks camping, Hell we might all be doing it someday but why not clean up the area? Have respect for the land. That is my MILPAS UNDERPANTS and they are cleaner than that campsite. Here are Your Scanner Reports.
Scanner Reports, Wednesday:
- Premises check City/Silly Hall.
- Med Call for a person down on their front porch turned out to be a possible robbery with injury 100 Block of Pacific in Orcutt.
- Fall victim from a bicycle with a broken jaw at Boone and Thornberg.
- Premises check Office Max 217 East Guiterrez
- Cacique Underpass Premises check.
- 415 Subject going through the trash and yelling at the French Press on Anacapa.
- Suicidal juvenile on the East Side cutting herself with a knife.
- 200 Block of Palm Avenue Cops Project.
- 23103 Reckless female driver in a white Honda South Bound on APS from DLG.
- Fall victim at Amtrak 209 State street Med Call.
- 3×3 Foot Sink Hole opening up in the 1400 Block of Chino.
- Suspicious circumstances at La Cumbre Junior High.
- SBSO officer on a Detail at SNJH 700 Block of East Cota street.
- Elevator Rescue 900 Block of DLV.
- Mary 3 SBPD Officer injured in a vehicle accident in the 2700 Block of Las Positas.
- Audible alarm in the 800 Block of West Mission.
- 1900 Block of State for a patient who threatened their doctor or therapist.
- 300 Block of North Alisal threats investigation occurring during an AA Meeting.
- Unlicensed Driver in the area of Cliff and Meggs male in a black Infinity 1999, later on the driver was reported as a 23152 Drunk Driver
- Suspicious subjects in a truck in a driveway in the 1000 Block of Cambridge in Goleta One subject was seen on the East Side of the home with the front door wide open. I heard there were 3 subjects and a truck a white Ford F-150, later on heard there was a burglary there.
- 10851 Stolen vehicle investigation parking lot 5 SBCC Campus.
- Medrona at Toyon Camper in white van with Oregon Plates.
- Possible 245pc with a vehicle involving a black Jeep and a brown BMW Orcutt road at Highway 135.
- 459 Burglary 2 rifles stolen in the 3700 Block of Avon Lane.
- Fired Employee 415 Yelling at the boss 220 Grey Avenue.
- 415 Between Neighbors in the 3800 Block of La Cumbre Hills Lane.
- Fall victim from a bicycle UCSB Arts building, UCSB Campus.
- 415 Female refusing to leave the shower at the Rescue Mission 535 East Yanonali
- 242 Assault at McDonalds 1213 State street
- Fall victim head injury 800 Block of State street.
- Check on personal property left in the Cacique Underpass.
- Gas Leak building 551 UCSB the leak is outside of the building.
- Beard and wearing a blue Hoodie male looking into vehicles at 1520 State street.
- 415 Homeless subject refusing to leave the homeless shelter 816 Cacique.
- Parking lot prowler looking into vehicles 1030 Coast Village Road.
- Unknown if injury accident Mission at Santa Barbara streets.
Scanner Reports, Thursday:
- SBPD on 2 Subjects Rite Aide 800 Block of State street.
- Public Accident Fall Victim 3800 Block of State Street.
- Female down in the Coast Village Roundabout.
- Suspicious Circumstances investigation at SBHS.
- Subject with a no bail warrant Anapamu and State Street
- Panhandler at Trader Joe’s 3000 Block of DLV.
- Some guy went into a salon in the 3000 Block of DLV and said someone was out to get him then left, suspicious call.
- A male walking on the North Bound on ramp at Patterson walked into the bushes quickly and because he was walking quickly into the bushes someone called it in as Suspicious.
- Subject at CARES being 415 and Agitated 2034 DLV requesting assistance from SBPD.
- Suspicious subject on Cambridge in Goleta 40’s-50’s male wearing camo.
- Med call 300 Block of Highway 246 for an ill subject.
- Vehicle vs Pedestrian 300 Block of Garden Street in the underpass.
- Med Call Vista Del Monte 3700 Block of Modoc.
- First Block of Orange Ave 415 Domestic between a Mother and Daughter.
- Assist Medics on the Las Positas Over Pass with an elderly driver in a blue sedan facing Northbound on the bridge.
- 400 Block of East Ortega Suspicious circumstances.
- Traffic Accident Carrillo at San Pasqual 2 vehicles possible injury.
- Dumpster Fire Building 525 UCSB Outside the Library.
- 20002 Non injury hit and run investigation in the 3700 Block of State street.
- Check the Welfare First block of South Milpas subject in the middle of the street.
- Premises check Ortega Park.
- Disabled vehicle in the street Hollister at Dearborn.
- 459 Burglary investigation 1200 Block of San Andres in a residence.
Anyone could become homeless it doesn’t matter how secure you think you are everything could fall through and you could end up on the streets. Ain’t no one better than anyone else just because they have a home, or a vehicle or money. I have seen a few people lose everything they had and end up out there on the streets, some got it back and some died trying ain’t no one any better than anyone else. Have a Great Weekend…Peter, Belinda, Angel Baby, Pooh Bear, Tom Cat, Clancy, Tiger, Thomicina, Shadow, FREDDIE! Midnight, Merlin, Maxwell, Lola, Popo, Tiny, Andy, Fish Head One, and Two, Poncho, Jerry, Walter, Fred, Jonathan, C.J,., Brad, Billy, Carl Stan, Kent, ELMO, Patrick, Christy, Diana, Jim, Rambo, Sherry, Bommy, Poppy, June, Muskie, Eddie, Bambi, Ricky, Bengie, Willie, Pat, Mavis, Lafayette, Ted, Marty, Cop John, David Cox, Po, Magruder, Don, Edwin, Cory, Isabelle, Jerry, Debbie, Ken, LUCY! STOBE THE HOBO, John Hancock, Mickey Mantle, Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Tom Petty, and Chris Willing we will pee you on MONday-MONday. Later, Roger
I have I know many who are homeless and they are from here your 90 percent is way off as far as I know..
Most people in the SB/Goleta area are originally from outside the area. In fact, most people in California are originally from somewhere else. Some people who are here now have been here for many years. Compared to the entire population of SB county, not many people here now are actually ‘native born’, who were born, grew up, and stayed here.
Roger, Most, 90% of the street people are from out of the County, and most from out of State. Most have issues with drugs and alcohol. Are these generalizations …? No. When you are someone who worked (works) hard to make a living, pay a mortgage or rent, pay property tax and live in one of the most expensive areas in the State, should you embrace an RV parked in front of your home with a questionable individual inside? No. Should you accept a large camp behind your fences in your neighborhood?No. Are most of the issue our local law enforcement dealing with these bums? Yes.
The only solution is to take on the ACLU and incarcerate the 10% or so who are mentally ill in a facility like Atascadero / Camarillo. Yes, they were closed when Reagan was Governor 50 yrs ago- but there have been 100’s of politicians since that refuse to deal with the ACLU and get these ill people off the streets and provide them help. The others need to be housed in WORK CAMPS like the WPA in the 1920’s and 30’s where there is no tolerance for drugs and alcohol. Let them get trained in the trades, dog knows that our infrastructure is in need of attention that labor needs. Any one not willing gets kicked to the curb.
I am from Indiana it’s another country Indiana is…39 Year resident here.
I am not a drunk, a drug-user or mentally ill. I am a retired UCSB lecturer and a realtor and have been a resident of SB for over forty-five years. I have contributed to my community and raised my children here. Because of a series of business losses, compounded by the recession, I became homeless last year. What an eye-opener. Here is what I discovered while living in my car: 1. There is a $500 fine for sleeping in ones car – it’s a fine for illegal camping. Please, no one “camps” in their car – on the streets. 2. There is a 2-7 year wait for all affordable housing in SB, including Section 8. 3. There are dozens of working women and men who sleep in their cars nightly and go to banks, schools and offices daily – just like me. 4. There is so much ignorance and hatred of the homeless, that the problem cannot be clearly defined and effectively addressed and solved. Yes, most people (not anyone) can become homeless. But this does not have to happen – there are real reasons for homelessness and there could be effective solutions if all those involved in solving the issue, could see it through eyes of love and caring for their fellow man and woman.
Roger, your idea has merit & would be a solution.
It is very much equal to the plan I wrote years ago for this issue.
“Anyone could become homeless” is propaganda just like “Anyone can catch AIDS” from the 80s…sure it’s true to a very tiny degree but most homeless worked pretty hard to burn all their bridges and get there. If you are truly one paycheck from the streets, there are solutions such as moving to a lower cost of living area. I know if a family member truly was in trouble, I would help them out to the best of my abilities as long as they did not abuse my trust.
Encampments are a danger to those camping and to everyone else. Bad idea all around. Check Megan’s Law, many sex offenders are listed as having no address (homeless/living in camper/living in car). “Megan’s Law is a federal law passed in 1996 that authorizes local law enforcement agencies to notify the public about convicted sex offenders living, working or visiting their communities. … In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed Megan’s Law as an amendment to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children’s Act.”
Megan’s Law, convicted sex offenders. You can put an address in and indicate how far, up to 10 miles, from that address, where sex offenders live. https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
Anyone can become Homeless and it might be propaganda to some but not to those it has happened to. Just make a bad decision trust the wrong person to invest your cash, have a major medical issue, natural disasters can make Folks Homeless too…Foreclosed homes. Somehow I don’t see any bridges burning there. 90 Percent of the Homeless in Santa Barbara are not from out of the area I would say it’s more 60/40 with sixty percent being from out of the area but I can be wrong and accept it…Sex offenders are all over the place many are homeless because many people will not rent to them however some places will take them in if they want to get off the streets and get help…There is more that ten percent Mentally Ill here..I like the idea of the Work Camps I don’t think they are legal anymore too bad because it is what worked for me in a sense..My idea was for a place where people lived with an area for community get together’s like Cooking, dining, washing clothing, taking a shower, having meetings, working on resumes etc Of course there would be a manager it would not be an encampment. The police would have more control of the city as they would know where many people are. My Great Grandparents did something like this out of their home during the depression they helped many people get back on their feet. @Laurie This is your home for 45 years You don’t have to leave and I aien’t going either.
Does it really matter if homeless were born and raised here or not? If they are American citizens, like us, they have a right to live anywhere in the United States of America. Many are veterans with PTSD and they self medicate with alcohol or drugs to try eliminating memories of horrific war experiences.
I have confirmed part of what you said Coast Watch through a trusted friend though I do not believe it to be 90 percent it is a high percentage.