Gavin Newsom issued executive order to start removing homeless encampments

Getty-Images-Skid-Row-Encampment-Los-Angeles

Important Takeaways:

  • “This executive order directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them – and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same,” Newson said in a statement. “There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.”
  • Newsom’s executive order was buoyed by the US Supreme Court’s decision last month, which rejected arguments that ticketing homeless people for sleeping outside violates the Constitution’s ban on “cruel and unusual” punishment.
  • Chris Herring, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of California Los Angeles, said “Before the Supreme Court ruling, cities were in the position where they would have to provide shelter offers before removing encampments,” “Now … they will be able to carry out these encampment sweeps with the very real threat of issuing people incredibly expensive fines of which people cannot pay and often results in a warrant or an arrest or can result in incarceration.”
  • Herring said the timing of the order wasn’t surprising as Newsom seeks to “politically clear his name of the homeless crisis, especially as he’s in the national spotlight right now amid the presidential election.”

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