City officials are now cracking down on homeless encampments that are near waterways.
People to shelter in place... but now they're cracking down on those who aren't following the rules.
Action news now reporter kristian lopez is live in chico.... kristian, what is the city's plan for enforcement?
Mayor ann schwab says city staff will be stopping by encampments near waterways to make sure people are following the rule.
The city started allowing people to camp in city parks in march after governor gavin newsom mandated the stay-at-home order.
They city says it made the decision to allow the homeless population to shelter in place and protect them from the coronavirus.
But after months of complaints from community members the city decided to take action.
"we've asked the city staff to make sure our waterways are free of any time of encampments, at least 50 feet away from top of banks, we want to make sure people use those waterways especially when its warm out so they can go swimming.
" " i think its a good idea.
Fresh waterways is always good."
Schwab says over next week they will be going out and talking to people who have been sheltering in place at these locations and help them find alternate locations.
She says it will be a process because there are a lot of people camping along the waterways but they want to be able to open them up to the public as soon as possible.
And while they go out to these encampments they will also have pamphlets available with a list of resources on them for those who want them.
Live in chico kl action news now.
## chico police officers will also be working to make sure encampments are moved away from the waterways.
## them for those who want them.
Live in chico kl action news now.
## chico police officers will also be working to make sure encampments are moved away from the waterways.
##
The City of Chico is enforcing a directive requiring homeless encampments to be moved away from city waterways.