Santa Clara County water agency could start fining the homeless
Those living along the waterways could soon be fined or face jail time, due to a policy being considered by the largest water agency in Santa Clara County. Valley Water Board of Directors will consider the Water Resources Protection Zones Ordinance on Tuesday. The policy will take effect 30 days after it passes, unless the board votes to change the timeline. If passed, homeless individuals who reside on Valley Water-owned land could be fined up to $500 or face up to 30 days in jail. … Along with prohibiting encampments, the policy also bans trash and pollutants related to encampments, activities that disturb those living nearby and activities that create potential harm for Valley Water employees or the public by those living in encampments. In the fiscal year ending in 2023, Valley Water’s encampment cleanup crew removed more than 2.7 million pounds of trash, debris, and hazardous pollutants, according to its website.