Downtown businesses are voicing concerns about disruptive behavior, littering and alleged sights of sexual activity coming from homeless encampments along Front Street and Laurel St in Santa Cruz.
Local workers claim that an influx of homeless encampments has led to a decrease in business. One worker says he has seen a drop in 75% of his customers, which he attributes to the increase in homelessness.
Businesses want the city to remove the encampment altogether. City officials say they are working to address the complaints.
A homeless advocate says police have come out to the encampments.
Businesses along this stretch say they have been hit hard by the pandemic and want the city to clear the streets in hopes that it will bring back customer flow.
