Santa Clara Valley Water established a new ordinance to fine and potentially arrest those who are unhoused living near the waterways that are owned by Valley Water, according to a Valley Water webpage.
Valley Water directors voted on Nov. 26, 2024, to have the Water Resource Protection Zones Ordinance. This ordinance would aim to reduce water pollution by keeping houseless people from residing on Valley Water property, according to a Nov. 26, 2024 San José Spotlight article.
Brandon Sanchez, San José Police Department deputy chief said the police want to act as security for these non-profit organizations in reaching the unhoused.
“Obviously, we can't arrest our way out of this situation,” Sanchez said. “The goal is to get them into those services. For those who refuse services and depending on the circumstances and location with the new ordinance it will be considered trespassing under administrative code.”
The ordinance also bans trash and pollutants related to encampments, according to the same Spotlight article
Although the ordinance serves to protect the Santa Clara Valley Water, a concern of what can happen to the unhoused lingers.
Gail Osmer, a local unhoused advocate for 30 years, said the summit that was held to discuss the Water Resource Protection Zones Ordinance was not what she was expecting.
“I kinda had to keep my tongue in. I'm kinda disappointed with the summit that they had. What has been accomplished? Nothing,” Osmer said. “No one is really standing up and doing anything for the unhoused community.”
Valley Water has already moved encampments in San José along Upper Penitencia Creek, according to a Feb. 6, San José Spotlight article.
“It's tough for law enforcement because our peace is a much less attractive peace but at times, unfortunately, a necessary peace. It's a difficult position law enforcement is in at times” Sanchez said.
A goal of this ordinance is to provide clean water for a healthy life, environment and economy, according to a Valley Water webpage.
However, Osmer said that although the ordinance’s goal is to provide better living conditions for the unhoused but so far nothing has been fully secured.
“They (houseless community) are scared they will be evicted and there is no place to go,” Osmer said.
Jennifer Codianne, deputy operating officer in the Watersheds Division of Santa Clara Valley Water, said that they always give collaboration updates when it comes to encampments.
“When we have to do relocation efforts we work with an agency to ensure housing opportunities, we want to give them support,” Codianne said.
As of now, most shelter and temporary housing sites are full with no real place to host those who will be relocated unless the emergency interim housing is built, according to the same Feb. 6, San José Spotlight article.
Beyond the relocation of those who are unhoused living in Valley Water waterways, is making sure they are getting the services that they need.
“They have three groups going out and talking and educating the unhoused. I think that is very important and we know the unhoused but they don't know the unhoused,” Osmer said. “I think when people do this and people talk about the unhoused they have to have respect.”
