The city of Sausalito has declared a local state of emergency Thursday over what officials call dangerous conditions at a homeless encampment in Marinship Park.
A recent fire and explosion sparked the city to declare a state of emergency, as well as drug use, violence and damages to public and private property.
Encampment residents have been moved from an open grassy field to a confined tennis court, which is monitored by private security.
After the explosion and fire, Sausalito Mayor Janelle Kellman said it's become an issue of public safety.
"This is just one thing on top of another after 14 months, increasing concerns both for residents within the encampment and residents of the community," Kellman told KCBS Radio.
However, those living at the encampment claim they are being pushed out. Activist Robbie Paulson told KCBS Radio the city eliminated parking around the camp leading to mass evictions.
"All the people here with vehicles have just been extraverted from our community," Paulson said. "That's contemptuous."
A resident of the homeless encampment, Phil, said he has been left with no place to go.
"We are homeless people man, how low can you take us down," Phil said. "We already don't have anything."
Another resident got into an altercation with a member of the security team and had to be taken to the hospital leaving him with a sprained wrist and torn ligaments.
Sausalito is now calling on the County of Marin to provide more resources for support.
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