By Khalida Sarwari
Enforcement action against homeless camp demonstrators in Santa Cruz continued today with deputies issuing five citations and making two arrests this morning, a sheriff’s office spokesman said.
Deputies issued the citations and made the arrests when the protesters refused to leave, sheriff’s Sgt. Dan Campos said.
Campers have been frequenting the steps of the county courthouse for the past five weeks in protest of the City Council’s decision to ban camping in the city.
Their chosen county-owned patch of grass has brought into question the enforcement of the city’s policy.
There were about 15 demonstrators present when the arrests were made this morning, but only a few remained during the day, Campos said.
Since Friday night, deputies have issued 24 citations and arrested 9 demonstrators for allegedly lodging on county property without permission.
The sheriff’s office has been responding to complaints by county workers and others about the activities, behavior, and trash produced by the demonstrators.
A private security guard has been hired to maintain order at the county building during the day. The sheriff’s office will continue with its enforcement action for as long as necessary, Campos said.