Growing Sacramento homeless crisis producing bigger impact on local firefighters

  • Source: KOVR-TV CBS 13 Stockton
  • Published: 02/02/2023 12:00 AM

A machete attack and a fire captain punched in the face — it's what Sacramento Metro Fire is facing with a growing homeless crisis. They say their jobs are getting more and more dangerous. Squatters in vacant buildings are responsible for fires causing millions in damage. Metro Fire Capt. Parker Wilbourn said his agency responded to more than 2,500 fire incidents last year directly related to homeless encampments or people experiencing homelessness. Of those fires, 27 were at commercial structures or homes. Wilbourn said they have had an issue with the homeless tampering with fire suppression systems to wash clothes. This has caused false alarms or rendered those systems useless. And even if the homeless are keeping to themselves at campsites, what's left behind is not only a danger to the public but the environment.



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