Park-And-Ride Lot Opened To Homeless In Rohnert Park

ROHNERT PARK, CA — A portion of the Roberts Lake Park and Ride has been reopened to people experiencing homelessness, the city of Rohnert Park announced.

There were 30 available spots at the lot and all were occupied as of last week by people who were in nearby encampments as the city worked to clean up and fence off those high-risk encampment areas.

"We have issued a 48-hour notice to those who have not moved, and are offering them shelter at the Redwood Gospel Mission and providing transportation," the city said Wednesday.

To address safety concerns, fencing with privacy screening was set up and separates the encampment from the SMART line and Roberts Lake Road.

Port-a-potties, hand-washing stations and regular trash-and-debris clearings will be provided at the Park and Ride lot, and occupants of the lot will be situated to ensure there is access for emergency vehicles if needed, the city said.

On Monday, the city asked residents who are interested in helping those at the Park and Ride lot inquire with Unsheltered Friends Outreach, or UFO, a Rohnert Park nonprofit that works with those experiencing homelessness in the city.

"Please do not bring items to the Park and Ride and leave them there, including couches and mattresses," city officials said. "Dumping such material is illegal and contributes to the accumulation of debris that we need to dispose of. If you want to provide food or items that you think might be useful please first contact UFO at 623-3922 or uf.outreach.rp@gmail.com."

Further information on how community members can help is posted on the city's website.

City Address Questions About Park And Ride Lot

1. Why didn’t the City do this sooner? Why did you move them from the Park and Ride lot last year? What changed?

"We have been evaluating options and concluded that the Park and Ride lot is the most viable location available right now considering factors such as safety and public health, particularly with added six foot fencing to reduce the risks from the SMART trains and Roberts Lake Road traffic. Also, by providing port-a-potties and hand washing stations, we anticipate that the number of people crossing the tracks to access amenities will decline significantly. When we closed the encampment at the Park and Ride lot last year, we were able to offer everyone there shelter or housing, which 24 accepted and 15 declined. We were able to close the lot because we had these options at that time. We do not have enough of these options today because there are an inadequate number of beds available, which is one reason we are creating the Homekey interim housing facility on the City’s west side. Additionally, we heard concerns from the public regarding closure of the bike lanes that would have been required with our prior plan to address safety hazards at this site, and have heard frustrations over the condition of the dog park. We and our service provider partners are working closely with the individuals camped along Roberts Lake Road to encourage them to move to the safer Park and Ride Site. With sanitation stations and trash collection provided on site, we hope this will lessen the impact on the dog park and other surrounding public spaces."

2. How long will this last?

"We do not how long the Park and Ride arrangements will remain. We are connecting individuals at this and other encampments to shelter and housing. In 2021 we placed over 50 individuals experiencing homelessness in Rohnert Park into permanent housing, and nearly 100 in shelters."

3. Why are you providing free housing? Doesn’t this attract more homeless to Rohnert Park?

"Permanent housing, combined with supportive services, is the solution to homelessness. And it is not free; those placed in housing are required to pay 1/3 of their income in rent, even if income is limited to State Disability Insurance or similar sources. The best data that we have shows that nearly 90% of those experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County were here when they became homeless, most of them for more than 10 years."

4. Why do the homeless have rights that regular tax-paying residents do not? Why can they leave their garbage out or do drugs in public when I would be arrested for the same things?

"While courts have ruled that people cannot be penalized for being homeless, those experiencing homelessness do not have extra rights. Several years ago, voters approved changes in state law so that many low-level crimes are no longer booked in the county jail. In addition, with COVID, Sheriff Essick has requested that only violent crimes and certain misdemeanors be booked in the county jail. The Department of Public Safety books all allowable offences and will continue to enforce the law.The Department responds to calls from the community and conducts proactive enforcement, which includes encampment 'walk-throughs.'"

5. What is the City doing to address homelessness?

"The City is taking numerous steps; these are summarized on our Homelessness website. Visit www.rpcity.org/homelessness. If you’re interested in joining other community members working on solutions homelessness, click www.rpcity.org/homelessness to learn more about the Rohnert Park Homelessness Roundtable."

To report criminal activity at encampments, please contact Rohnert Park Public Safety.

Rohnert Park Crime Tips Anonymous Hotline: CRIMETIPS@RPCITY.ORG or 707-584-COPS (2677)

Rohnert Park Dispatch, Non-Emergency: 707-584-2600

Emergency: Call 911