DA, Residents Sue California’s Capital City Over Homelessness, Public Safety Issues

The suit alleges Sacramento “allowed, enabled, and created a public safety issue” with policies leading to the increase of homeless encampments.

Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho holds a poster collage titled "criminal behavior" as he announces that his office is suing the City of Sacramento, Calif., for creating a public nuisance by failing to take stronger action on homeless camps, on Sept. 19, 2023. Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via AP

With homeless encampments encroaching on sidewalks throughout the city, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho announced a series of lawsuits filed against the City of Sacramento, California, for failing to uphold civil codes and enforce the law.

“We are simply holding the city accountable to the same law they enforce on us,” Mr. Ho said during a press conference on Sept. 19. “We are giving a voice to those that feel their cries for help have fallen on deaf ears.”