Santa Barbara City Council Member documents homeless camps during bicycle rides

Santa Barbara City Council member Jason Domingueszvideoed a detour he took on his bicycle ride to get to his city council meeting after a resident complained about Quarantina St.

His video shows mattresses, bikes, couches, lazy boy chairs, shopping cars, and people including a man open a beer. He showed it to council and posted it on social media asking for reaction.

“Remember earlier this year there was a fire right off of Milpas right by the freeway and last year someone died under the freeway because of the fire so there is a big safety concern for the residents and visitors and the homeless, ” said Dominguez.

He videoed his next ride along East Beach and posted it online too.

He said many people were sleeping in tents even though the nearby PATH shelter had space available.

“I give them brochures and pamphlets about the information from them or a list of numbers they can call. some are receptive and want more so they can give them to their friends.”

Dominguez believes HEAP block grants could help. HEAP stands for Homeles Emergency Aid Program

“The answer is getting the people back in touch with their families, getting them into rehab, getting them jobs so they don’t need the housing. really the entire industry has moved away from a shelter plan into rapid rehousing,” said Dominguez.

The issue will be discussed by the Santa Barbara City Council later this year.