Policy Text
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced b y: Captain Bryce Heinlein Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: Officer Jeff Kuhlmann , PSU Volume 121
Enforcement Guidelines – 500 ft. Buffer Zone K -12 Schools
12-7-2022
INTRODUCTION:
On October 19th, 2022, the Sacramento City Council voted to add schools to its list of critical
infrastructure, (SCC 8.140.030) prohibiting pe ople experiencing homelessne ss from camping or using
camp paraphernalia within 500 feet of K-12 schools. These facilities are now part of the critical
infrastructure ordinance that prohibits encampments near certain sensitive si tes like daycares,
hospitals, f ire stations, police sta tions, jails , courthouses , levees, and bridges.
DEFINITIONS:
Camp: Under the City Code to place, pitch or occupy camp facilities; to live temporarily in a camp
facility or outdoors; to use camp paraphernalia . A camp may be comprised of one person.
Camp facilities: Under the City Code include s, but are not limited to, tents, huts, vehicles, vehicle
camping outfits or temporary shelter s.
Camp paraphernalia: Under the City Code includes, but is not limited to, bedrolls, tarpaulins, cots,
beds, sleeping bag s, hammocks or cooking facilities and similar equipment .
Encampment: Per the Citywide Homelessness Response Protocol , is a place where one or more
person s experiencing homelessness are living outside, in tents, in makeshift structures, or in vehicles.
Life necessities: No court has provided a complete list of items constituting life necessities.
However, some items have been identified as life necessities: medications, medical equip ment,
identifying papers, family heirlooms, toiletries, tents, tarps, sleepi ng bags, blankets, food and clothing .
Level 1 Encampment – Per the Citywide Homelessness Response Protocol is a location inspected
and assessed by the Department of Community Response (DCR) as a High Prior ity. It is either (a) an
encampment adjacent or blocking access to an essential location, or (b) an encampment where there
is a public health and safety risk. This includes encampments adjacen t to a school or along a route
that children must take to arrive at the school and encampments adjacent to cr itical infrastructure.
Roll Call Trainin g Bulletin
Produced b y: Captain Bryce Heinlein Katheri ne Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: Officer Jeff Kuhlmann , PSU Volume 121
ENFORCEMENT:
The enforcement of this ordinance requires a detailed understanding of the procedures necessary to
ensure p roper response to each case. The procedures emphasize voluntary compliance and
providing people experienc ing homelessness with resources.
A. PRE-PLANNED/SCHEDULED ENFORCEMENT - A City department or employee receives a
complaint of a camp or encampment within the 500 ft . buffer zone of a K -12 school .
ENFORCEMENT STEPS:
1. Contact DCR via 311 - Inform of the nat ure of the complaint and all relevant details
(location and risk factors) .
2. If voluntary compliance is not met, DCR shall refer the complaint to SPD Impact Team after
reasonable outreach efforts have been made.
3. Once the complaint is re ceived, the Impac t Team shall:
a) Visit the location with DCR and attempt to gain voluntary compliance to relocate
and offer services.
b) Identify whether the encampment is with in the 500 ft. buffer zone of the K -12
school property.
c) If voluntary compliance fails, Impact shall :
1) Abate t he violation by conducting a custodial misdemeanor arrest for SCC
8.140.030 as the crime is likely to continue .
2) Remove the offending individual(s) and /or items, by booking at the
individual’s property at SPD Property , especially items considered life
neces sities. Garbage may be disposed of with coordination with Impact
and Forensiclean.
3) Document circumstances in a report surrounding the violation , the
measured distance from the school property line and photograph (BWC
acceptable) the encampment in place .
B. PROACTIVE ENFORCMENT (non -planned) – A police officer receives a complaint in the
field or observes a violation of 500 ft. buffer zone for K -12 schools in the course of their duties
shall determine whether the violation meets a Level 1 Encampment .
ENFORCEMENT STEPS:
1. Attempt to gain voluntary compliance to relocate and offer services through SPD Impact
or DCR.
2. Identify whether the encampment is with in the 500 ft. buffer zone of the K -12 school
property.
3. If voluntary compliance is not met :
a) Abate the v iolation by conducting a custodial misdemeanor arrest for SCC
8.140.030 as the crime is likely to continue.
Roll Call Trainin g Bulletin
Produced b y: Captain Bryce Heinlein Katheri ne Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: Officer Jeff Kuhlmann , PSU Volume 121
b) Remove the offending individual(s) and/or items, by booking the individual’s
property at SPD Property , especially items considered life neces sities.
Garbage may be disposed of w ith coordination with Impact and Forensiclean.
c