Redding Homeless Blog

At a recent city wide so called Safe City Project , with its leader April LaFrance , and interesting admonition was made, and Tweeted by a Redding Record Searchlight Reporter. With the Good News Rescue Mission being the ONLY nightime rescue mission shelter in all of Redding and Shasta County California this fact, if reported... this crucial Tweet... if turned into a news story would rally the generous and caring community Redding has become, and positive steps surely would be taken that would change the dynamics of homelessness in our community, and quite possibly SAVE LIVES . Not only that, If the facts and truth were released, to be ticketed by Redding Police Chief Robert Paoletti and his department for homeless sleeping now would be more than ever a very real violation of homeless persons civil and constitutional rights. A situation here in Redding already determined to be cruel and unusual punishment in other California cities  by a Judge for the United States Cour...

In April of 2006 Loaves & Fishes, Francis House, SHOC, Homeless Advocates, and the homeless rallied at the California State Capital to urge the City, County, and State to create a Safe Ground where the homeless can camp at night. Homeless Advocates from Modesto to Redding were prepared to be arrested as it is against the law to have a sleeping bag anywhere on State Capital property as homeless advocates block the south state capital entrance  practicing non violent civil disobedience as they dare California State Highway patrol officers to arrest them ! . "The Rally at the California State Capitol for "Safe Ground," the legalization of homelessness begins at Loaves and Fishes with 300 homeless folks getting on the bus and rallying for their cause. Watch the enthusiasm build as they are dropped off at the Capitol steps!" (Part 2) Sister Libby of Sacramento Loaves and Fishes at the non violent civil disobedience rally at the Califo...

On October 17, 2006 the Redding California Police Chief, the Fire Chief , and Dave Honey of the Good News Rescue Mission all spoke in favor of at the City of Redding Council meeting amending Redding Municipal Code Chapter 10-40 Unlawful Camping making it a possible misdemeanor punishable by up to a 1000 dollar fine and/or 6 months in jail for the homeless crime of sleeping or keeping warm by a campfire anywhere in the city limits effectively criminalizing homelessness.  Why do homeless need SAFE GROUND ? Sacramento Attorney Mark Merin advocates for "safe ground" and the human right to a safe place to sleep. Fast forward to 8/17/2013  to a Record Searchlight article "Homeless encampments, natural features create perfect storm for Market Street fires" and we know now that due to the criminalization of homelessness and the dynamics of fear created homeless are camping and hiding   not only deeper in the steep canyons and brush behind Market St....