Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
Santa Barbara County firefighters respond to a reported brush fire in Goleta early Wednesday.
At 1:33 a.m., crews discovered a fire near a homeless encampment in the 7300 block of Calle Real near Highway 101.
Crews quickly contained the 20 by 40 foot fire from spreading.
There were no reported injuries and the cause is under investigation.
Homeless Camp Fires in Goleta
Reported by JB86
4:09 a.m., June 5, 2024
A second fire reported in the 7300 block of Calle Real, along the railroad tracks, near Winchester.
The first was in the area of Ellwood and the freeway, at a homeless encampment. County Fire responding, trying to locate. Possibly 1/2 mile north of Glen Annie.
We cannot continue to allow people to live in encampments. The state has thrown billions of dollars at the issue with some results but more needs to be done. More in the way of changing the law, not expanded funding. Sweeps need to happen and people moved whether they want to or not. Rent a warehouse set up cots like a Red Cross emergency shelter. People can have choices, stay in the emergency shelter, go to one of the other shelters with services, rescue mission etc, keep moving along and local jurisdictions should open up parking lots they own for those who live in their cars.. It is a matter of public health & safety.
While I am not an expert, it seems the sober, no pets, no drugs, no booze rules make shelters unattractive to many. I like the idea of a safe zone but where would it be?
Agree. And it’s going to cost us.
Yes, but it’s been shown that providing housing costs a whole lot less than the current constant demands on law enforcement, fire, and medical services.
“Providing housing” at taxpayers’ cost to those who won’t even take it? That’s another money waster.
Yeah, BASIC, it will cost you. But hey, whether you believe facts or not, it will cost you less than paying for the constant emergency police and medical services. Imagine how relaxed you’d be if you believed in facts!
Has it then? Show us. I’d like to see a legitimate study, because I doubt it exists. I think you’re blowing smoke on that.
To paraphrase BI on most comments:
“I haven’t bothered to learn anything about this subject, but I know what I want to believe, and so anything you say must be baloney.”
Hmm BASIC, surprised you could even comprehend much of his humor. Sounds like the only Larry you would understand is Larry the Cable Guy.
It’s been confirmed in many states. Here, where housing costs are high, it still applies:
https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2024/04/california-homelessness-spending/#:~:text=The%20auditor%20found%20the%20CalWORKS,much%20as%20%2450%2C000%20per%20year.
Your source’s headline reads like this – ‘we don’t have any clue’, to paraphrase. But here’s what they said:
“There’s so little data available, it’s impossible to even tell if several of California’s largest homelessness programs are working, according to a statewide audit released Tuesday.”
Talk about throwing up your hands. You guys roast me again and again and have zero cred. Classic.
BASIC – And you talk about “zero cred” BWAHAHAHA!
Dude, you couldn’t prove a 2 digit addition problem.
BASIC – as if you are in any position to demand evidence of a claim made here, but ANON got you there. Here, read it again:
“The auditor found the CalWORKS program spent an average of $12,000-$22,000 per household, while a single chronically homeless person can cost taxpayers as much as $50,000 per year. “
BASIC – it was conducted by the State Auditor. How is that not “a legitimate study?” Just because you’ve been proven wrong, AGAIN, doesn’t mean everyone else is making things up.
How about, for once, you actually provide some factual evidence to back up your claims?
My God, man, take a stand with some effort for once.
That’s a “study”?? Cmon man…
Since BI is so inept at finding and interpreting information, here are some more sources debunking his opinions:
https://www.npscoalition.org/post/fact-sheet-cost-of-homelessness
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/08/22/how-housing-costs-drive-levels-of-homelessness
https://apnews.com/article/homeless-california-study-poverty-high-rent-a2a4bfc9b386cb70fdd14d593f31b68c
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-21/the-price-of-ending-homelessness-in-california-8-billion-a-year
So, you once again fail to read the articles and grasp the significance, and after having no supporting evidence for your opinion, once again litter the comment space.
If the county released 1% of the money that they recieved to help the homeless issue to each person that is homeless there would be zero encampments in this area of Goleta I’m 100% positive and confident on this statement .
I agree. But I don’t believe the count would be zero. There are far too many individuals out there who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol who would blow it all. These people would have to be forced into treatment with the funding they would receive.
Yes, I agree forced treatment facilities are the way to go. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Not rocket science. Unfortunately, besides being costly the status quo political climate of our area would never let it happen, voters and politicians, that is. But hey, if the voters move right, I guarantee the politicians will follow. Will local voters decide enough is enough?
BASIC – extended (beyond 72 hours) “forced treatment facilities” aren’t up to the “local voters,” they’re prohibited by the United States Constitution. Ever hear of it?
Jeezus bro…… are you even old enough to drive?
Again?? Breaking the law = jail time. Then you’re in. Like it or not. But that’s being too tough on people for the likes of you. I get it. You’re weak on crime. No doubt about it.