Local citizens, public service providers, business owners, and law enforcement have expressed concern regarding increased criminal activity in the transient encampments, located in the area near Bouquet Creek and Valencia Boulevard in Santa Clarita. The transient population in the river bed area has been an ongoing concern for an extended period of time.
For the past several months, numerous agencies were brought together in an attempt to aid the homeless in the transition out of homelessness. The agencies were the Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Veteran’s Affairs, Volunteers of America, Behavioral Health Services, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. These agencies have joined together in an effort to mitigate these quality-of-life issues for all parties involved.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s COPS Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Santa Clarita Valley Station, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and other social services personnel have conducted patrol checks of these areas over the last several months. During these checks, LASD and LAHSA personnel found that the area is inhabited by transients who use the area as living space. These areas are filled with trash, debris, human waste, and personal property.
Numerous homeless were contacted and offered housing, medical treatment, and substance abuse assistance to aid in the transition out of homelessness. Multiple homeless took advantage of the services offered; however, a large percentage of the homeless population in this area refused assistance.
On Thursday, June 19, during the daytime hours, a collaborative law enforcement team led by COPS Bureau Deputies worked collectively to police the riverbed environment throughout the area northwest of the Valencia Boulevard and Bouquet Canyon Road Intersection. Law enforcement personnel worked to enforce any applicable sections of the law that were being violated. Numerous violators were cited and will be required to appear in court.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be working in conjunction with the agencies responsible for sanitation of the area, in which enforcement is focused on, in order to facilitate a punctual clean up.
Law enforcement will continue to address and enforce any violations of the law in these riverbed areas in future operations and patrols.
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86 Comments
So the sheriffs don’t have anything to do but harass the homeless?
So the sheriffs don’t have anything to do but harass the homeless?
Pigs
When your house gets broken into I’m sure you’ll be calling them something other than “pigs” they’re at least doing something for humanity.
Pigs
When your house gets broken into I’m sure you’ll be calling them something other than “pigs” they’re at least doing something for humanity.
Guess they ran out of donuts n decided to go for a walk,
Guess they ran out of donuts n decided to go for a walk,
Judging from your remarks! Yep Santa Clarita has some real scumbags living here
yep our city officials
Judging from your remarks! Yep Santa Clarita has some real scumbags living here
yep our city officials
Perfect^
Harass the homeless? Great remark. I don’t know if you know about these “homeless” people that live in the wash, but I see them going in and out off the bike trail paths. You know the bike path where crime has doubled, the bike path where women have been assaulted, the bike path where needles and paraphernalia have been left on the side. Yeah, the sheriffs have nothing better to do than “harass the homeless”.
Yeah all the scumbags live in the wash rent free!
Right on Jeff!
Give them a break ! For crying out loud have mercy in our city and other countries.
Give them a break ! For crying out loud have mercy in our city and other countries.
Their ya go… our City at work.. So take them to jail and then what.. do you think when they get out of jail they will move into a house or do you think they will go back and STILL BE HOMELESS. ??? The City could maybe give them a job of some sort. So they could better themselfs. The Sheriffs would be better served slowing down the traffic in this city or making more drug bust. But no this is a better use of our resources. What a bunch of nuts we have running this city.
Their ya go… our City at work.. So take them to jail and then what.. do you think when they get out of jail they will move into a house or do you think they will go back and STILL BE HOMELESS. ??? The City could maybe give them a job of some sort. So they could better themselfs. The Sheriffs would be better served slowing down the traffic in this city or making more drug bust. But no this is a better use of our resources. What a bunch of nuts we have running this city.
Judge NOT … For all the hype that people that live in Santa Clarita promote over ALL causes..except the homeless because they are an eye sore in “Awesome Town” … SCV… Has always been made up of an artificial pool and a lot of the people that I know and love were born and raised in Santa Clarita and still reside there..BUT we all will agree…FAKE..FAKE..FAKE
So judge not unless you have lived their! I was raised in SCV myself Valencia to be exact…sad to see not much has changed
Judge NOT … For all the hype that people that live in Santa Clarita promote over ALL causes..except the homeless because they are an eye sore in “Awesome Town” … SCV… Has always been made up of an artificial pool and a lot of the people that I know and love were born and raised in Santa Clarita and still reside there..BUT we all will agree…FAKE..FAKE..FAKE
So judge not unless you have lived their! I was raised in SCV myself Valencia to be exact…sad to see not much has changed
So you don’t live in SCV anymore? Glad you were able to get away from such a horrible place with such FAKE FAKE FAKE people! But you don’t judge?? OK! If you don’t live here why are you commenting on it? Just to bad mouth SCV and the people who live here?
Awesome I was walking with my two kiddos under 4 by myself on iron trail when harassed
Awesome I was walking with my two kiddos under 4 by myself on iron trail when harassed
Bring back the WPA! An incentive to work and provide for themselves.
WPA & CCC built the infrastructure as we know it today. They were paid to work. Not given handouts. This should be re-visited.
Bring back the WPA! An incentive to work and provide for themselves.
There is no reason to be homeless … Hats off to the police officers trying to clean up the garbage
There is no reason to be homeless … Hats off to the police officers trying to clean up the garbage
:( really? There are reasons!
Moron.
Marcos you must not be familiar with all the government programs available out there , FYI your maturity shows so I wouldn’t expect anything less
most are drug addicts anyways.. Move them out to the desert away from kids!!!
Take em to L.A drop em off bulldoze the creek bed
Take em to L.A drop em off bulldoze the creek bed
Most of the transients in the wash are meth heads! Clean it up!!!
Most of the transients in the wash are meth heads! Clean it up!!!
The article said they were all offered help to get out of their homeless situation…some took the help, some declined. Therefore, those that declined are choosing to be homeless.
The article said they were all offered help to get out of their homeless situation…some took the help, some declined. Therefore, those that declined are choosing to be homeless.
Leave the homeless alone unless you have a solution for them.
Leave the homeless alone unless you have a solution for them.
There were all kinds of agencies down there trying to offer solutions. Many refused.
Finally. Now they have to hit the one by the old bridge on the bike trail on magic mountain parkway.
Maybe those that disagree should go down there and see what they can do to help. Always easy from the peanut gallery.
Ignorance must be bliss for you.
No reason to be homeless?? Some people need a reality check on mental illness and how lack of care can make it impossible to make sound decisions or care for oneself. And a reality check on long- term unemployment. I live in unincorporated L.A. county and found a man living in his car near my property. He’d lost his home, had a job, but no money to rent a room. Of course, it occurs to me that people who believe the homeless should be arrested/shamed/blamed are usually the first to vote against any and every tax proposal that might alleviate the problem (you know, like mental health care), too.
Ok.I’m ok cops side for one, we.just threw.a.rave and I lost $1000 of dollars due a.few transients one even attacked us with a machete for no reason other then he.was.intoxicated
I live by there and saw a lot of illegal activity. Went on a bike run with my kids and was harassed. Good job to the sheriff’s!!! It was about time!!
Some of you dont even read the article. If you did, you would know that multiple agencies went in to this situation prepared to help the homeless either find a good path, health services if they needed them, or mental health services for others, the sheriffs for just there to keep the peace i suppose. I dont get why the first comment on any post regarding sheriffs is attacking them. They are doing there job
Obamaville
Get those bums outta town! We all pay to much in taxes and everything else to keep our town nice. Why would anyone say leave them alone?!? If you like bums move to downtown or better yet go be one!
Piggly wiggly, I won’t be calling them
I love when people bash our police here in SCV. Anytime there is an article about cops trying to do something to keep our community safe you get a bunch of ignorant people calling them pigs or donut chasers! The article stated that they were offered help and many of them refused. So what do you do with that? They don’t want to be productive members of the community and you can’t help someone that doesn’t want it. This is a nice town, and we pay a lot of money to live and raise families here.
A lot of self righteous people reside in SCV… Sure hope life never throws you a curve ball and you end up having to leave your little bubble. Anime I do agree something has to be done I DO NOT agree with the callous…cold hearted remarks from the majority…Show a little humility since you ALL profess to be better than most cause you have money…shame on you.
Took the words right out of my mouth!!!
Show some tact…. geez
I truly understand everyone’s point of view, this is reality in our community and Bridge to Home is doing great strengths to get these people help! Please do your due diligence before you judge, we can make a difference!
This is sad
Be thankful for what you have and help those less fortunate. Anyones circumstances can change leaving you too homeless.
It’s funny how people are so quick to come to the defense of these people who have been living illegally, harassing and robbing those who’s are just walking or riding their bikes, but not down in the wash helping them. The majority of these people will just talk how sad it is and post another comment but really help. I doubt it.
Don’t ever bieve in the police they are the biggest mafia in America
I bet the people that were selling and cooking meth near the my neighborhood are now living down there. relocate the trash.
I wi create a website so everybody will put their complains and concerns and will forward it to the appropriate department but need all support. I experience all their injustice personally many times and never done nothing every time the complains responce has been per them unfounded !!!!
Please wake up America !!!! I promise you will be the day they will rule and tell you what to do as they please because you are always putting the wrong people on office without finding out and investigate their life’s… I have and hard to believe that some of them have committed crimes such a Robery however the files magically disappear !!!! Believe it!!!! Email me at dbarr1220@ aol. Com and once I know who you are I can give you examples !!!! Mines and from the ones in office
They DONT WANT TO BE HELPED!!! They are offered and they reject!!!! If you dont like that we want them out of the city , then take them home.. Please!
Is this a real threat to our safety or an opportunity for rehabilitation /treatment which I doubt they will get by being arrested! They live in a wash… Isn’t that already punishment! Clean conscious or clean city? As one of the richest nations we have an opportunity to bd kind, love, and help those in need!
Look at how much trash is on the ground, treat it like your camping! Respect the area.
Cheyeanna Lynn Ercek
Look if they are mentally ill that’s one thing but that being said the majority of them are drug addicts and alcoholics who get money by committing petty crimes. Let’s not call every homeless person mentally ill and lets not call every homeless person a drug addict.
I have rode the trails/paseos all over SCV for a couple years and was always afraid of some of the recent reports of robbery and harassment….I was always particularly careful when riding from Valencia up through to sand canyon and never did that one alone. I do believe the homeless in the wash should be removed. Yes they need assistance but should be removed. Why should I be afraid to use this beautiful city as intended? Sondra Steffan-Brosch
Sherry Gordon after Danny took the ride with me, he made me promise that I would never go past Sierra Hwy by myself.
:) just let the officers do their job! Great job…keep it up an stay busy…get those dirt bags off streets! Badmouthing anyone is just rude. Open your eyes! I am proud of living here I want clean scum free cities! What anyone does in privacy of their own home I’s none of my business, on our streets Yes it is…if you’re a taxpayer you’d probably put more thought into caring about conserving where we live! :) peace.
Remember,not that you are correct on th homeless,some were good mayb at one time.You must know there are some of them committing several crimes and returning back to the wash.This not only costs all of us,but these crimes could happen to you or your families.I know first hand of them committing these crime to peopl at that location.
There are many reasons for someone to be homeless, I think we can all agree on that. Some of the people living in the wash are mentally ill, yes. Some have substance abuse issues. Some are down on their luck. Bridge to Home has helped a great many people (and has a requirement that aid recipients has ties to the SCV, these are our neighbors and possibly family members) but we do need a year-round shelter rather than the current facility that’s open only in winter months. And many homeless people want help but the assistance offered means making tough decisions. Very few shelters accept pets, for instance. For all the pet owners: would you rather live in the wash with your animals, or in a shelter knowing that your animals had been taken to the pound? Mentally ill people take comfort in their possessions, which may be our trash but their treasures, and they’re not ready to accept the offer of transitional housing if it means that most of their possessions are destined for the dumpster.
Have some compassion for these people, offer help, foster someone’s pet, support a year-round shelter. And don’t bad mouth the sheriff’s deputies. They’re doing their job as directed and attempting to keep city residents, both housed and homeless, safe.
After happened in Louisiana in 2005, Valencia there is no peace and tranquility that we had before Katrina.
Patrol in the wash is necessary. I have clients that choose to live in the wash, because they want to get away with using drugs and living without boundaries. I’ve referred my clients to job leads, food banks; educational assistance and most disregard the help and want to live in the wash because they don’t want to do anything else. The wash is a community in itself. There are some that have mental health issues, drug addiction, and criminals. More youth are turning to the wash so that they can just “chill” without having to obey house rules and use drugs. The Sheriffs are doing their job keeping the public safe and everything they do isn’t based on harassing citizens. Keep in mind, the wash is a great place for sex offenders to dwell. “Help” can only be a benefit if it is received, if an individual refuses help, then it is their choice.
Hats off to Bridge for homes and New life in His presence Church and all other congregations helping the mental, drug disease and homeless. Lord have mercy and grace on all.
They are lying, no help was offered or given. They did however destroy plenty of peoples homes (tents) to where they were not liveable anymore, which is just cruel. Yes, plenty and a lot of those are extremely uncleanly people but a good # of them aren’t. We are all profiled the same. But again, no , they are lying there has been absolutely no services offered and that is information first hand because I am homeless
Bus them over the hill to LA.
While I may not live in SCV anymore I was raised up in SCV in the late eighties… my Father Robert Stagg was heavily involved in the community also the Stagg family owned and operated the boat rentals and concessions at Castaic Lake until his passing in 93.. that being said my roots are in SCV always will be and I have to say something because this is my hometown and it saddens me to see the judgement on the less fortunate..SCV is very Step Ford in my opinion and a majority of the people that grew up there agree. I am reminded of an easier time in SCV when the Paseos were brand new and people cared to seek the good..like we were all taught in kindergarten..a few bad apples ruin it for the bunch… my dad was a member of the Moose lodge..lions club…and always made sure we knew about what was important…being a good neighbor. :-)
First I would like to congratulate you on being “SCV royalty” as you stated in your comment below. That comment in itself is not self righteous at all! I also was born and raised here in SCV. My family has been out here since 74 and I could also sit here and drop names of family members that have helped shape this community, but I won’t. That’s really not my style, and not how MY father raised me. While it’s great to hear that your family has helped the community so much in the past, what do they contribute to now? My point being I don’t hear you giving any solutions to the problem. All I hear is how horrible the people are that live in SCV. And “shame” on us for wanting to live in a clean safe community that so many of us remember oh so long ago. What would you do to help this problem? How would you “be a good neighbor” ? Maybe you should go down to the wash and see what you can do to help. Maybe you could hold hands and have a sing-along? The people that cry about not being nice to criminals just kills me. So many of these people are offered help, and simply refuse! As I stated before how do you help somebody that doesn’t want help? What do you do??
The Stagg family are very well known for their contributions to SCV just as much as the Neiditch family is..SCV royalty baby :-) so I believe I have something to say and I will say it :-) thanks!!
Make them go to work, pay their bills just like all the rest of us do.
Here comes all the people bashing our police and sheriff’s department for trying to keep our city safe. I bet most of the haters didn’t read the part of the article that stated they offered the non offenders shelter and rehabilitation facilities. Did you know that child predators like to make those encampments their home? I’m glad they did this.
If you own a home in the neighborhood,you will understand that these people are trashing the neighborhood. I just want to express my appreciation to our police and sheriff’s agency for doing the right thing. Time for these lazy bum to get a job and stop trashing our community.