SALINAS, Calif.- It's a growing attraction in Salinas, but some said it's all for the wrong reasons. A homeless community set up shop about two months ago and now nearby businesses said not in my backyard.
The area off Highway 101 near North Main Street in Salinas has become a makeshift village for the homeless. Now some people are worried about it becoming a bigger problem, even if there's nowhere else for them to go. I went to check out the area one of our staffers said he drives past every morning, noticing more and more tents by the day.
On Thursday, I counted seven tents in the open field across from Bridge Street businesses nearby said over the past two months, more and more people are setting up, spilling over from the blighted Chinatown area because they have no where else to go. and they said trouble is coming with it.
"A lot of things going on, a lot of illegal things I've seen people spray painting the bridge," said construction worker Tom Landess.
People who work near this field said it doesn't matter that there's a fence or a no trespassing sign. Homeless individuals hop right over it and now there's a camp set up out in that field. construction worker tom landess said now for him the problem is starting to impact his bottom line.
"It's sad. I've worked in construction for 33 years and i've never had to actually park where I can watch my tools or make sure I lock them up or take them with me," Landess said.
Monterey County Social Services said it's scrambling to fill the gap in services .
"Recently the Department of Social and Employment Services engaged in a collaborative effort with San Benito County to develop a plan," said community affiliation manager Margarita Zarraga.
A plan Landess hopes works quickly. On Thursday, he helped a homeless woman who was screaming for help.
"And saying that this guy that she'd been seeing or just a friend of hers was beating her up and so she said call 911. So we did call 911 this morning and the guy took off," Landess said.
Monterey County Social Services said it's meeting next week to talk about their new plan to help the homeless find shelter.
