An Emergency Executive Order is being used to shut down the Benchlands in Santa Cruz. Law enforcement officers started working toward closing the homeless encampment in that area of San Lorenzo Park Friday morning with notices about the closure. That after city officials said conditions there had deteriorated to the point that it had become not only a fire hazard, but a hot spot for Covid-19. People impacted by this closure will be referred to county homeless service programs.
This closure is reportedly being done in phases….with notifications being issued this past Friday. Law enforcement officers are expected to start clearing the first areas on Monday…..and they plan to have the whole park cleared by January 6th. Although the closure is scheduled to end January 31st….unless it gets extended….it does not include the playground, the lawn bowling green or the Riverwalk Path.
