Dangerous Encampments Near Hotels Housing the Homeless
By Patty Ducey-Brooks
This past month, a Mission Hills resident notified me about an ongoing problem behind the Extended Stay hotel on Taylor Street where some unhoused individuals are staying in rooms while others appear to be camping outside the property. Rather than remaining inside the hotel, certain residents have created encampments dangerously close to homes on the northern side of Mission Hills.
The concern is not simply that people are camping outdoors; it is that the location of these encampments creates a serious public safety risk for nearby homes, and open space on the hillside.
What is extremely worrisome about this is that in addition to living on a hillside not meant for human habitation, the homeless individuals are creating fire pits that have already caused fires in Presidio Park and near homes.
Mission Hills homeowners say they have repeatedly brought the problem to the attention of Councilmember Stephen Whitburn’s office, but they are directed back to the city’s Get It Done system. They have filed reports numerous times, and I reviewed them.
Those reports describe two encampments in the same area on a city easement between hotel properties and single-family residences to the south and above the site. They note dogs, signs of fire, needles and syringes, and a large amount of flammable trash, including cardboard and boxes.
As these neighbors have stated, “What is the point of reporting this if nothing is done to correct it?”
I also shared this information with the Safe & Clean Committee representatives of the Old Town Chamber of Commerce during a recent board meeting. Trish Fillet, who is very active in monitoring the homeless encampments, fires and other problems arising at Presidio Park, proposed that we bring this to the attention of other councilmembers who are also responsible for this area, Jen Campbell and Raul Campillo.
Also present at the Old Town Chamber of Commerce meeting was Officer Adamek, SDPD community relations officer for this district, who appeared to be taking notes on this issue. Unfortunately, I was unable to speak with her about this problem before the Old Town Chamber of Commerce meeting ended.
I have now joined a team of others who are reviewing all the hotels in the Mission Valley area that currently provide residence to the homeless population to learn of their supervision requirements and compensation. It appears that some of the hotels have no one on site to manage the residents and their actions.
Unfortunately, when people have drug and alcohol issues, and don’t have the skillset to live independently, they need observant and capable people to keep them safe and protect the communities where they reside.
Category: Government, Homeless, Housing, Lawsuits, Local News, Neighborhoods
