Stockton could soon be impacted by an ongoing lawsuit in San Francisco that challenges the legality of homeless encampment sweeps. Zal Shroff, acting director of a Bay Area civil rights group and lead attorney in the case, argued that such sweeps effectively punish homeless residents who have no other place to go.
Since last December, a court order has stopped most encampment clearings in San Francisco. The injunction has been met with opposition, notably from San Francisco Mayor London Breed and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Breed attended protests against the court ruling, and Newsom labeled the ban "preposterous" and "inhumane."
Jerry Ruiz, CEO of Stockton Shelter for the Homeless, noted that the number of open shelter beds in Stockton rarely, if ever, matches the number of people living on the streets. According to last year's count, Stockton has 893 unsheltered individuals—a number thought to be significantly underestimated.
Stockton officials have been making efforts to address the issue. A new 180-bed Navigation Center set to open this summer has been delayed, and another shelter promising 326 beds will open late next year. Nonetheless, until there are enough shelter beds for every homeless individual, Stockton may face similar legal challenges to San Francisco.
However, Stockton's city attorney, Lori Asuncion, stated that a recent amendment to the city's code might provide some protection against such lawsuits. The amendment designates areas such as roads, sidewalks, parks, and others as "critical infrastructure." Camping in or around these areas is a misdemeanor, and the new designation could allow city officials to balance the rights of unhoused people with the need to protect public infrastructure.
Whether or not the lawsuit in San Francisco sets a precedent that affects Stockton remains to be seen. For now, it serves as a bellwether case for homeless rights and city policies, not only in California but potentially across the U.S.