Underbelly of Sweeps – Developing Diamonds Community

Underbelly of “Sweeps"

Call and ask for Amnesty, or at least Kindness, until we can implement the lasting solution.

“Sweeps” are raids against “illegal” homeless campers in the hopes of sweeping or driving these souls, like "rats to the river.” Years of having their basic survival needs pilfered by police, has generated anger, desperation and loss of hope in many. I have personally known homeless who have been murdered for a blanket, or less, when they dare to sleep at night. Others hung themselves or overdosed for loss of hope for better. Gentle souls turned to use and sale of drugs to finance their escape plan from the black hole of danger and despair. Some of this anger and despair has to have spilled over into crime against the public.

The stories are true. Names have been changed to protect individuals from retribution. Just a small sample of many similar stories. More to come, later.

For those who survive the relentless emotional trauma of being treated like rats to be exterminated, there is the logistical upheaval of having to constantly start over in an endless cycle of loss.

The following is taken from Section 1 (Rationale) behind the Oct. 10 law, SB 634:

“As of 2024, on any given night, over 187,000 people are experiencing homelessness in California, with data from the state’s Homeless Data Integration System showing over 308,000 people experiencing homelessness accessing services over the course of the year, and many more at risk of homelessness.”

“Homelessness is a policy failure primarily — decades of failed housing policy, coupled with structural and institutional racism —”

“Arresting, fining, and jailing people experiencing homelessness for the act of living outside and conducting life-sustaining activities does not contribute to ending homelessness … (but) … adds additional barriers to ending someone’s homelessness, including causing people to lose touch with case managers, family, and friends seeking to assist them …”

“These barriers include:
… missing work and losing needed income to get back to housing …
… missing critical health care appointments that may contribute to deteriorating health …
… loss of key property, including identification, birth certificates, and other documents that are needed to access subsidized housing, essential services, and public benefits …
… financial penalties that can increase debt, damage credit, and result in bench warrants that result in additional jail time …”

“Criminalization also adds risks to community-based service provider organizations and community members, hindering the responsiveness of both publicly funded and other community-based responses to end homelessness.”