Shooting revives Chula Vista neighbors’ concerns about homeless camps

Police in Chula Vista shot and killed a homeless man who was holding someone hostage Saturday night, the agency said. This happened in a residential complex where families, including small children, live.

Not far from the filming location is Harborside Park. The city closed this park during the summer due to the growing number of homeless people and reports of illegal activity. Families told NBC 7 that they believe the activity has moved into their neighborhoods.

Dorothy Cuevas has lived in Chula Vista for 30 years. Harborside Park was a big part of her child’s childhood.

“They used to play baseball and basketball there. You know, I would let them go, because then everything was fine. You know because there was no crime. But now you can’t let your kids out,” Cuevas said.

In August, city officials closed the park after a large homeless encampment was set up there. Cuevas sympathizes with the struggle of an unprotected face.

“Mostly, I think because of the elementary school, you know, they were concerned about being around the kids, but then they camped around the street and it’s right next to the school again. So I don’t understand what the point was,” Cuevas said.

In the past, some residents have welcomed the city’s decision to shut it down, hoping it will stop reports of crime and drug use.

But others thought it was an insensitive way of dealing with only part of the problem.

“It gets worse, you know. They will drive them out of here in one place, but where will they go? Right. Nowhere to go So they just go to the areas or, as I said, to any place they can find,” Cuevas said.

Chula Vista police said they answered a call Saturday night at an apartment complex on Moss Avenue. The callers said the two homeless men may have camped on the apartment’s landing, knocking on doors, screaming, and may have been using drugs or had mental illness, officers said. Detectives said they encountered two homeless men, one of whom was holding the other hostage with a knife.

Oscar Ventura lives in this complex.

“Suddenly, we just saw a group of cops gathered around, and I saw a policeman pull out an assault rifle. That’s when I thought, “Okay, this is something serious,” Ventera said.

Detectives said that when the suspect refused to drop his weapon, the officer shot him. No one else was seriously hurt. Ventura said it was too close for comfort.

“I have three small children. I mean, my kids love to play outside, so that’s kind of alarming. I mean the laundry is there too. We have laundry. We have things to do and if something goes wrong, you know the family is involved,” Ventura said.

“I respect the position of any person. I mean, I just hope they find a better solution for the homeless,” Ventura said.

Content Source

California Press News – Latest News:
Los Angeles Local News || Bay Area Local News || California News || Lifestyle News || National news || Travel News || Health News

Related Articles

Back to top button