By Mike Hazlip—
The grounds of Sylvan Oaks Library, located at the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Van Maren Lane in Citrus Heights, have become a frequent location for homeless to camp — and have also become a frequent target of vandalism.
The library is working towards a solution, involving security guards and also posting notices that abandoned property may be removed by law enforcement, or discarded. However, homeless advocate Alfred Sanchez says library security are overstepping their authority in violation of a recent court ruling.
In a phone call with The Sentinel Wednesday, Sanchez claimed security guards at the library agreed to allow people to stay overnight on library grounds until 7 a.m. but have recently moved that time up to 5 a.m. He said the action is intentional and aimed at reducing the number of people sleeping at the site.
“I think they’re going out of their way trying to make them uncomfortable so they’re not there at all,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez, also known as “The Snack Man” for his efforts to feed area homeless, cited a 2018 ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Martin v. Boise, where the court ruled that a Boise city ordinance barring individuals from sleeping on public property violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, when there is no alternative shelter available.
In a phone call with The Sentinel on Friday, Sacramento Public Library Communications Manager Lisa Martinez said the library contracts with an outside security company. She said the team is responsible for getting the library ready for basic operations like deliveries and maintenance. When asked if the start time has changed, Martinez said they begin their patrol at 5:30 a.m.
“There are a number of interruptions to Martin v. Boise,” Martinez said. “It is our understanding that cities cannot enforce anti-camping ordinances if they don’t have enough homeless shelter beds available. The library is a public space so we follow local jurisdictions or ordinances.”
Martinez also said Sylvan Oaks Library has been repeatedly vandalized, with the majority of incidents occurring after hours. She said there have been 51 reported incidents of property damage since January 2021.
“We’ve had our front door smashed in, a broken bench, our book return shelf was stolen. We’ve had our cameras and lights spray painted and damaged. We’ve also had a large fire in the vegetation and trees adjacent to the building,” said Martinez.
Citrus Heights Police Lt. Chad Morris told The Sentinel about 10 to 15 individuals are known to regularly live in the area and sleep on the library grounds.
“Library security is not authorized to enforce city ordinances. The job of library security is to observe and report any incidents that occur at the library property to their supervisors or law enforcement, depending on the situation,” Morris said. “Library security is also responsible for the security needs of patrons and employees of the library.”
None of the people contacted by The Sentinel could verify who is responsible for the vandalism, and police said investigations into acts of vandalism are ongoing.
Sanchez acknowledged vandalism occurring at the library, but said “that doesn’t give them the right to say you can’t have what’s given to you by law.” He also said some individuals living in the area try to keep it clean and free from damage.
A photograph sent to The Sentinel by Sanchez showed a notice he says was posted at the library, which stated items found abandoned on the grounds “must be removed by 12/3/21, otherwise items may be removed by local law enforcement or discarded.”
In an email to The Sentinel on Friday, Martinez responded by saying library staff place a notice to remove abandoned items, and contact law enforcement if the item is valuable or if dangerous or illegal items are found.
“Law enforcement is contacted immediately for items such as weapons or drug paraphernalia,” Martinez said. “We have found a hatchet on our roof and weapons on the grounds at this location in the past year.”
Martinez said the library is working to develop a solution.
“The library is a public space. We’re committed to serving the public, that includes providing access to library services and being good stewards of the public resources. For this location in particular we’re working with community members to come up with solutions that are equitable for everyone.”
Sanchez, who was recognized by the Citrus Heights City Council earlier this year for his efforts to advocate on behalf of local homeless as well as help resolve complaints, says the people he works with feel overlooked as they move from one location to another.
“The poor homeless guys, they just feel like nobody cares,” he said. “They know I care, but there’s only so much I can do.”
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By Mike Hazlip—
The grounds of Sylvan Oaks Library, located at the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Van Maren Lane in Citrus Heights, have become a frequent location for homeless to camp -- and have also become a frequent target of vandalism.
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