SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Depending on what happens during a meeting with Sacramento leaders, many homeless people camped out by levees along the river could find themselves looking for a new place to stay.
With more than 5,000 homeless people living in Sacramento County, many of them choose places like the levees to build their homes.
The City Council is set to discuss a law that would prevent people from camping within 25 feet of the riverfront levees and other public facilities.
"It's against the civil rights of our fellow Americans. They cannot go around telling people they can't be in public places and cannot be on the American River here," said Dan Adenholt, founder of the American River Homeless Crew.
The organization of homeless individuals are committed to keeping the river and surrounding areas clean.
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"These people love and care for their community and fight for the right to be out here and left alone, where they can live in peace until they can find shelter and a home to live in," Adenholt said.
Just last year, there were over 1,000 fires in the city, many of those caused by encampments by the American River and Sacramento River. Fire danger is part of what motivated city officials to have this discussion.
"Fix the problem. Fix the problem, instead of kicking us out. If they kick us out, where are we going to go?" asked Ladel Sampson. Sampson has been homeless for the past four years and has lived along the American River.
Sampson says he became homeless after he got in accident. If Tuesday's council discussion signals that he could be moved from his place along the river, he's not sure what he'll do.
"I don't know. I have no idea. I have no idea," Sampson said.
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