HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRR25030 Kendall - Records relating to homeless encampment removal operations
Jan. 16, 2025
Attn: Public Records Act Request Coordinator
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request for government records made under the right of access granted by the
Constitution of the State of California as amended by the passage of Prop 59 on Nov. 3, 2004,
as well as the provisions of the California Public Records Act, California Government Code
§6251, with emphasis on the requirements of 6253.1.
I am writing to request records and information related to homeless encampment removal
operations (a.k.a. sweeps) in your jurisdiction. Please provide the following information for your
city or county:
● A list of all encampment “sweeps” (meaning the removal of an encampment of one
person or more) that occurred from Jan. 1, 2024 through the date this request is filled.
For each of those sweeps, please include:
○ The location of the sweep (an address or intersection)
○ The date of the sweep
○ The number of people removed during the sweep
■ Of the people removed, please include the number that were offered a
space in a shelter or other type of housing, the number that accepted a
shelter placement, the number that accepted a transitional housing
placement, and the number that accepted a permanent housing
placement
○ How much trash material was removed during each sweep
○ How many pounds (or bags, or however else this is measured) of personal
belongings were stored during each sweep for the owner to collect later
■ How many bags were later collected by their owners
○ How many people were cited during each sweep
○ How many people were arrested during each sweep
● The total amount that was spent on encampment sweeps from Jan. 1, 2024 through
June 28, 2024, and the total amount that was spent on encampment sweeps from June
29, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2024.
● Please provide a copy of your city or county’s official encampment management policy,
or whatever policy you have that dictates how encampment sweeps are handled
○ If you have no such policy but are working on creating one, please provide the
date the policy is expected to go live.
○ Please include your policy that dictates how an encampment is selected for a
sweep (how are encampments prioritized, what criteria does an encampment
have to meet to be considered for a sweep, etc.)
I realize that you may not track the data I am requesting in exactly the manner that I am
requesting it. If that is the case, please provide whatever documentation you have that will allow
me to ascertain as closely as possible the information I am asking for. Please feel free to
contact me to discuss alternatives that may help expedite this request.
If possible, please provide the requested information in an electronic format. I am a reporter for
CalMatters and this request is in the routine course of newsgathering. I am seeking a fee waiver
for this request as a working journalist serving the public interest by providing insight into a
subject of high importance and interest.
If you contend that any portion of the records requested is exempt from disclosure by express
provisions of law, Government Code § 6253(a) requires segregation and redaction of that
material in order that the remainder of the records may be released. If you contend that any
express provision of law exists to exempt from disclosure all or a portion of the records I have
requested, Government Code § 6253(c) requires that you notify me of the reasons for the
determination not later than 10 days from your receipt of this request. Government Code §§
6253(d) & 6255(b) require that any response to this request that includes a determination that
the request is denied, in whole or in part, must be in writing and include the name and title of the
person(s) responsible for this response.
Additionally, Government Code § 6253(d) prohibits the use of the 10-day period, or any
provisions of the CPRA or any other law, “to delay access for purposes of inspecting public
records.” In responding to this request, please keep in mind that Article 1, § 3(b)(2) of the
California Constitution expressly requires you to broadly construe all provisions that further the
public’s right of access, and to apply any limitations on access as narrowly as possible.
If I can provide any clarification to expedite this request, please contact me at
marisa@calmatters.org or 510-424-369, pursuant to Government Code § 6253.1. I ask that you
notify me of any administrative costs exceeding $50.
Thank you for your timely attention to this matter.
Marisa Kendall