Gov. Newsom creates new task force to clear encampments on state property

SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI)--Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday that his office is forming a new task force to address homelessness in San Diego and in California’s nine other largest cities.

The group, known as the SAFE Task Force, would clear encampments on state property and connect individuals living there with shelter and services.

This is just the latest step Governor Newsom is taking to clear encampments across the state.

“Encampments are such a visible sign of what's not working. I appreciate that the intent is how can I do something to get those cleaned up – we don't need to keep it always grounded in –we know there are some best practices of getting to know the people, building a relationship and then getting them connected to services so as long as this effort does that…fantastic,”said Paul Armstrong, San Diego Rescue Mission.

Armstrong said the San Diego Rescue Mission has a shelter that provides housing for people in San Diego.

He said if the task force brings collaboration and coordination, it will be successful.

“It should be organized around the office of emergency services. It is an emergency having people living in public spaces, so encampments of more than 50 people that are on public property, like on the Caltrans property, like on a freeway, or on an onramp," said Senator Catherine Blakespear.

State Senator Catherine Blakespear has introduced several bills to address homelessness in the state.

She said the response should be quick. The task force will include the CHP, Health and Human Services, and Caltrans.

As of last Friday, the city tells me it has collected 100,000 pounds of trash and helped at least 16 people connect to sheltering programs.

“16 sounds like an awfully low number, doesn’t it? That’s just because there aren’t enough shelter beds so we also need to be building and expanding the number of shelter beds we have available so that when we engage those encampments, they have a place to go," said Armstrong.

Blakespear agrees that more shelter is needed, but says the task force is a step forward.

“My hope is that there is close collaboration between the state, the county and the city so saying where do we have available beds in this county, where can we set up available beds in an interim way that could happen really relatively quickly and move people out of encampments and move them into a more safe and also a managed situation so that there are services provided by people," she said.

The task force is expected to roll out its work within the next 30 days.