Is Riverbed Fence 'Band-Aid' Or Solution For Homelessness In OC?

SANTA ANA, CA — New tall and imposing fencing to keep homeless out of natural landscape is being stretched along the Santa Ana River Trail near a residential area, repairing old and broken fence lines that surround that park.

But will it be enough?

Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do thinks so, after saying that upgraded security, fencing and working with local law enforcement is enough to "take back our neighborhoods from lawlessness," he said over his Facebook page.

"The last piece to complete is at Fisher Park, along Santiago Creek in Santa Ana, where a homeless arsonist set seven fires, causing $20,000 in damages, Do said. According to his statement, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas brought multiple felony charges against Gustavo Arbaca Garcia in the setting of those fires. Do's fellow supervisor, Todd Spitzer, does not believe Orange County or the District Attorney is doing enough where the homeless problem is concerned.

According to Supervisor Todd Spitzer, the fencing alone won't be enough to solve the homeless crisis in Orange County. The "nuisances and criminal elements" of having homeless in neighborhoods won't be eradicated by a few fences, Spitzer said.

"This easygoing mentality of pandering to the homeless has only allowed this problem to flourish," Spitzer said. According to his office, the county has spent nearly $147 million in 2018 to expand the care system that is in place for the residents of Orange County who have no homes.

"All of this is meaningless if the homeless won't take services offered," he said. "The District Attorney has a history of not prosecuting crimes that may be committed by the homeless population."

Spitzer, who is lobbying for his ex-boss's job as OCDA, wasted no time to bring up a slew of issues plaguing the DA's office.

"Although the District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting a homeless arsonist, other crimes have not received the same scrutiny," he said. "“Now is the time to toughen up on enforcing homeless crimes, we have done everything possible to help get the homeless off the streets. If they do not want to cooperate and commit crimes we must be vigilant prosecuting those cases.”

Spitzer led the effort to clean up the Santa Ana River Trail in 2017, which has restored the area to its intended use of recreational activities like walking and bicycling.

The effort has been showcased across social media, the tents and lean to's giving way to open land.

According to release, Spitzer also has led the effort to open the County’s first homeless shelter and service center in Anaheim, Bridges at Kraemer Place.

The facility is a model countywide. He was also instrumental in finding a site for mental health patients to receive treatment in Orange. The project is in the beginning stage.

“As I said a year ago -- I will not let Orange County become a Skid Row,” Spitzer said. “We were headed down that path where the riverbed was a no-go zone, just like in Los Angeles. This cannot happen here. We're offering people services and housing. If they don’t take it, they are vagrants and subject to arrest. We've got room in the jails for people who are not following the law. We need to be forceful but compassionate. Just erecting a fence isn’t good enough.”

What do you think? Is a fence going to solve the problem? Let us know in comments or over Facebook.

Supervisor Andrew Do Photo