Eureka Police Chief Andrew Mills is soliciting feedback on the idea of a temporary homeless day use area in Eureka to help alleviate problems with the city’s homeless population reported by local businesses.

In post Friday on the Eureka Police Department’s blog, eurekapolice.com, Mills referenced the recent release of the Point in Time homeless survey.

“There are still at least 200 homeless individuals in Eureka, according to the PIT: 206 people with no shelter, no privacy, and no security of their personal property,” he wrote.

“The goal is not to simply displace the problem to another location, but to find reasonable solutions that address violations of the municipal code and improve the overall business climate in the surrounding area.”

Mills wrote that “the [PIT] results are as accurate as possible.”

This year’s count didn’t include information on homeless populations in the Garberville area after a group of regular PIT survey volunteers refused to participate because of concerns that funding isn’t used to help Southern Humboldt homeless people. Attempts were made to survey homeless people in the Garberville area but none were willing to be surveyed.

Proposals sought

The EPD said the city is seeking proposals from individuals who need funding to help the homeless. The request for proposals will be released July 1 and proposals must be submitted by Aug. 1 to city of Eureka Homeless Services Program Manager Lynette Mullin, who works primarily out of the EPD.

Eureka City Councilwoman Kim Bergel said the city has been looking for a good place to have something along the lines of a homeless day camp. Bergel said a homeless day camp could be really beneficial to the homeless community as well as the rest of Eureka.

“I really appreciate our police department and how they go the extra mile to help the city,” Bergel said.

Bergel said having a place where the homeless community can store their belongings and stay for the day could really help them. She added there have had some problems trying to find a location that would be good for a homeless day camp.

“I think it could be really positive for Eureka,” Bergel said.

According to the EPD’s proposal, the area does not necessarily need to be within city limits, but would need to be close to the city and accessible by foot or bus.

Proposals should include a summary of the project, description of the facility, an operations plan, what supplemental services will be available, an implementation plan, a financial plan and qualifications.

“There are 40-60 individuals who need a place to idle for the day with their belongings and possibly their animals,” Mills wrote.

Third and Commercial

Mills wrote that the area at Third and Commercial streets is “particularly problematic right now.”

“Business owners, manager, and residents have complained of the high level of disorder including drug use, discarded needles, fights, disorderly conduct, large amounts of litter, and bodily waste left in the alleys and surrounding properties. People block sidewalks, graffiti buildings and harass pedestrians and motorists. Business has suffered from lost customers, vandalism, and theft. In addition, businesses are concerned for the safety of their employees,” a city of Eureka memorandum about the “crime and blight” at Third and Commercial streets states.

The post states the city is currently vetting the area for behavioral issues.

“Each of us,” Mills wrote, “EPD included, must vigorously and compassionately defend their human rights as we encourage them to help the community improve their situation.”

EPD Problem Oriented Policing officers will interview all people who frequent the area to learn where they came from, how long they’ve been in the area and how long they expect to stay.

“They will also learn why they have chosen this specific area to spend the day,” the memorandum states.

In the memorandum, Mills suggests city staff make changes in the area including removing the overhang at the nearby loading dock; post no sitting, lying or storage of personal property signs; pick up shopping carts; clean weekly; and remove graffiti.

Betty Chinn of the Betty Kwan Chinn Day Center said day camps can be very useful. She said having a space where homeless people can go to during the day can help them in a lot of different ways. At her day center, she offers help with resume building and writing, job searching and many other ways to help get the homeless off the streets.

“They can come here to look for houses and jobs,” Kwann said.

Sam Armanino can be reached at 707-441-0509. Hunter Cresswell contributed to this report.