Mayor Sweeps River Bottom, Finds at Least 15 'Tweaker Tents'

Mayor Randy Voepel recently went on a sweep of the river bottom going through Santee and reported to the council that he was surprised at the number of homeless living there, and that conditions down there were the worst he's ever seen.

"No doubt in my mind there are 30-35 in the river bottom, within 50 yards of our parks and kids," Voepel said.

He said the sweep with the Sheriff Station Captian Lisa Miller and deputies turned up 15 to 18 tents, many of them were what he termed "tweaker tents," used by meth addicts. One person was arrested for allegedly getting aggressive with deputies.

According to Voepel, the deputies introduced themselves to people on the river bottom and told them: "We're not here to hurt you, but you're illegally camping."

The Mayor said that many of the homeless come from Mission Valley along the river because other authorities tell them they won't get hassled in Santee.

He said the city and deputies are on it, and will deal with the problem in a "humane and legal way."

"Panhandlers were a problem, but they are basically off the streets now," said Voepel.

He reiterated that residents shouldn't give panhandlers money.

Also read:

• City Council Strikes Down Most Staff Ideas for Dealing With Homeless in Santee
  
• Santee’s Homeless Count Falls to 18, Says Latest Census
  
• Dear Randy: Helping With the Santee Homeless Count
  
• COMPOC: A Roundtable on Santee Homeless
  
• Santee Mayor Volunteers in Annual Homeless Count