Homeless people will no longer be allowed in the Santa Ynez Riverbed starting Monday.
A portion of River Park will be fenced off and converted into a triage center to provide services and temporary shelter for the homeless.
In August, the City of Lompoc issued eviction notices that affected 60 to 70 encampments in the riverbed. It is part of a plan approved by City Council that aims to solve the homeless problem that has been plaguing the city for decades.
“We’ve heard anything from rapes, assault with deadly weapons, human trafficking,” said Officer Mauricio Calderon of the Lompoc Police Department.
“We’ve actually been preparing for quite some time,” said Laura Dubbels, Lompoc Deputy City Manager.
This includes spending more than $21,000 for police to move them out. If a homeless individual does not leave by Monday, they will be fined for trespassing.
The triage center will only be up and running for 30 days starting on September 10.
The city says it’s in need of donations for that center. If you’re interested in donating, you can make a tax deductible donation to the Chase Bank in Lompoc.
