In an unusual move against Governor Newsom, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors announced on Tuesday that county jails will not be used to house individuals displaced from their encampments.
The board passed a motion affirming that those removed from encampments cannot be taken to county jails.
Supervisor Hilda Solis criticized the approach, stating, “Simply removing people from streets and sidewalks and jailing them will not solve this issue.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had previously denounced Newsom’s decision, arguing that dismantling makeshift shelters would only criminalize the homeless without effectively addressing the root of the crisis.
Supported by testimony from Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna and the head of the Homeless Services Authority, the county emphasized its commitment to a care-first approach that prioritizes services over incarceration.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger, while supportive of Newsom’s directive to clear encampments, expressed concerns about the county's readiness to manage the consequences. “What will it take to build capacity to address the encampment situation effectively? We don’t have answers, nor do we know the costs involved,” Barger said.
Newsom’s executive order mandates that state agencies, including the California State Parks department, focus on clearing encampments posing significant safety risks, such as those under Southern California freeways. The directive includes provisions for notifying those living in temporary shelters and connecting them with services to store their belongings for up to 60 days.
