Homeless activity on Auburn Boulevard sparks calls of fires

By Mike Hazlip—
A recently shuttered auto shop and ongoing issues with homeless activity near Auburn Boulevard and Van Maren Lane have drawn concern from a nearby business owner.

Louise Seyfert, owner of Java Cherry on Van Maren Lane, said she called police about the fires, but was told fires for warmth or cooking are not illegal.

A request for comment about the fires from police on Saturday was referred to Metro Fire by a dispatcher. A followup email to a lieutenant on Saturday afternoon inquiring about a history of calls related to homeless activity in the area was not immediately returned by press deadline.

Fires stemming from homeless camp site activity have occurred in Citrus Heights as well as other cities. In a frequently asked questions section on the City of Sacramento’s website about the legality of fires to cook or keep warm with, the city says: “In general terms, state and local law prohibit starting a fire in an undesignated area of a public park, on a public street or sidewalk, and anywhere else in a reckless manner.”

From 2017: Two fires ignite at homeless camp near Citrus Heights homes

Seyfert says an issue contributing to the problems near her coffee shop is a recently vacated auto repair shop at 6717 Auburn Blvd., located next door to 7-Eleven. The mechanic who formally occupied the building moved out of state, Seyfert said, leaving the building vacant. Tents and debris started accumulating a few weeks ago, she said.

An employee at 7-Eleven who spoke with The Sentinel could not be identified because he was not authorized to speak with the media said he was not aware of any fires, but said he had seen transient activity near Sylvan Oaks Library and the park across the street.

Related: Sylvan Oaks Library criticized for response to homelessness, camping

A man who appeared to be living in a trailer behind the former mechanic shop told The Sentinel he had permission from the property owner to remain there in exchange for keeping trash and debris from accumulating on the property in what he called a “mutual agreement.” He said he had already cleared some debris from the site over the past week and continues to monitor the property for the owner.

The man said he did not know the property owner personally, but has met him at the site.

For Seyfert, she says she understands the difficult position many people experiencing homelessness are in, but she is concerned for her safety and that of her customers.

“Work with me, not against me,” she said.

As reported last month, Citrus Heights police assisted a local homeowners association in cleaning up a homeless camp on private property near Interstate 80. A two-month rotating shelter for area homeless also recently concluded last month, coordinated by the Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team and hosted at local churches.