Redwood City Council Calls For Action On Homeless Encampment

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Redwood City Mayor Giselle Hale and the city council called on CalTrans to address safety issues around encampments after a fire at an encampment near Woodside Road and El Camino Real on Sunday afternoon damaged property and cars.

There were no injuries from the fire and it was cleared around 5 p.m., according to the city.

“We are calling on CalTrans to come to the table this week with our City and our legislative representatives to develop an immediate plan to protect our community from the health and safety issues created by encampments on their land,” Hale said. “We are grateful to our legislators for their collaboration and responsiveness. Thankfully, no injuries were sustained as a result of the most recent encampment fire but we need immediate action to prevent future incidents.”

The cause of the fire could not be determined following an investigation, but the fire involved tents, mattresses and other personal property, according to the city. The fence of an adjacent four-plex residential property and two cars sustained damage.

In a news release Monday, the city said it has been coordinating with CalTrans on many encampments located on CalTrans property, including this one. Civilian homeless outreach workers have also visited the encampment regularly to provide resources to unhoused individuals, the city claimed.

On Twitter, Hale wrote that state Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) and Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto) have worked with the city on the issue.

Becker replied: "I hear you. Thanks to you and the Council for calling attention to this. I have a meeting with the Director of CalTrans on Thursday about encampments and other issues and will use this example!"