Santa Cruz demonstrators demands less money for police, more money for homeless and community resources

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION)

In a meeting tonight, city council members discussed recommendations for addressing homeless solutions in the community.

Some of the recommendations included maintining encampments, keeping and revamping portable restrooms already set up around the city, and encouraging community engagement.

"It's a way that our community gets to know each other, it's a way the community can share their perspective and it's also as way that we can inform people about what's going on and include them in the decision making process," said one council member.

Demonstrators who showed up at Santa Cruz City Hall during the City Council's meeting said they do not feel the city is doing enough to help the homeless.

"We have vacant hotel rooms and we have vacant homes that people can go into right now rather than waiting," says Alicia Kuhl, President of the Santa Cruz Homeless Union.

One of the organizers of the demonstration says he feels less funding should go to police and should instead be redirected to other community resources.

“Addiction services, mental health services, that would actually really solve the problem of homelessness and poverty in the community," says community advocate Keith McHenry.

The City Council said community solutions while maintaining public safety is their top priority.

Council members also said they are working on using Coral Street as a location for anyone who needs resources to get them.