Residents say restroom closures have led to frequent public urination

PLEASURE POINT, Calif. (KION) Heading the coast to catch some waves or hit the bike trail sounds like a great way to spend the day, until you see that nearby public restrooms are closed.

"I was not expecting them to be closed. I'm not really sure what to do," said visitor, Neeley Seacrest.

Seacrest is not the first to be left without a place to use the restroom during the Shelter in Place order.

The Santa Cruz County Parks Department shut down all its public restrooms in March. Some residents said they are now, quite literally, facing the consequences. "I have a birds eye view of the parking lot here at The Hook. Unfortunately, I have witnessed way too many people publicly urinating," said nearby resident, Jennifer Young.

Young said in just one hour she will see dozens relieve themselves outside. "Some of them come very close to my house and try to engage in that behavior. I definitely, quickly, put a stop to that," said Young.

Santa Cruz County Parks Department director, Jeff Gaffney, said they have tried to maintain their public restroom facilities even while they are closed. Gaffney said cleaning crews are to stop by the facilities three to four times a day.

"We have hand wash stations outside the restrooms. People have the ability to wash their hands. Any mess that we've been told about, or anything our maintenance staff have seen, they have gone and cleaned up," said Gaffney.

Santa Cruz County has decided to reopen most of their public restrooms on Friday, May 8. Officials said they are hopeful this will alleviate concerns and visitors will continue to respect social distancing guidelines.

"All of our decisions have been made by deliberating the evidence we have before us and deciding what is best for the community's health," said Gaffney.