Chico closes in on 20th enforcement since Warren settlement

CHICO — In the span of nearly two years since Chico resumed anti-camping ordinance enforcements, after being sued and banned from doing so in 2021, its four-phase process requiring advance notices to homeless people to vacate public property has been conducted 19 times, as counted by this newspaper.

The city is set for its 20th completed enforcement by April 6 in downtown Chico, near Community Park and by a right-of-way near Highway 32 and Highway 99.

Some areas in Chico have been targeted for enforcement several times over, including Chico City Plaza and Community Park.

City Manager Mark Sorensen said in an email that the Warren v. Chico settlement agreement makes no distinction between a previously enforced area, versus one that is not enforced.

As required by the agreement, Chico must first provide a letter of enforcement intent to Legal Services of Northern California, then give a seven-day notice to people targeted for enforcement, then a 72-hour notice. Only after these steps Chico may complete an enforcement.

Below is a list of approximate dates for each enforcement scheduled by Chico, provided to Sorensen but not disputed:

• Apr. 6, 2024; Chico City Plaza, Community Park.

• Mar. 16, 2024; Lindo Channel.

• Feb. 12, 2024; Teichert Ponds pathway under Highway 99.

• Jan. 16, 2024; bike path in north Chico.

• Dec. 4, 2023; East Avenue, Eaton Road and Teichert Ponds.

• Nov. 13, 2023; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.

• Oct. 23, 2023; Alba and White avenues, Little Chico Creek from Broadway Avenue to Eaton Road.

• Sept. 1, 2023; Depot Park, southeast.

• Aug. 11, 2023; Depot Park, northwest.

• Jun. 27, 2023; Community Park.

• May. 15, 2023; Highway 99 bike paths at Panama and East Lassen avenues; and Rio Lindo and Alba avenues.

• Apr. 27, 2023; West Ninth Street and Hazel Avenue.

• Apr. 14, 2023; Teichert Ponds, east.

• March 21, 2023; Eaton and Cohasset roads.

• Feb. 1, 2023; Teichert Ponds, west.

• Oct. 27, 2022; Humboldt park.

• Sept. 19, 2022; Little Chico Creek greenway.

• Jul. 19, 2022; Comanche Creek greenway.

• Jun. 21, 2022; Lindo Channel.

• May 19, 2022; downtown Chico, lower Bidwell Park, Annie’s Glen and Lost Park.