Sacramento DA sues the city over its homeless crisis and says California's capital has suffered an 'utter collapse into chaos' because not enough was being done to remove people from living on the streets

Sacramento's Democratic District Attorney filed a lawsuit against the Democrat-led city over failure to clean up homeless encampments, escalating tensions between city leaders.

Announcing the lawsuit, District Attorney Thien Ho said the city is seeing a 'collapse into chaos' that reflects the 'erosion of everyday life.'

'We have more homeless people in Sacramento than San Francisco. The community is at a breaking point,' said Ho. 

In August, Ho threatened to press charges against city officials if they did not make changes in their handling of the city's homeless crisis.

He demanded that California state capital implement a daytime camping ban where homeless people have to put their belongings in storage between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., among other rules.

Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho announced a lawsuit against the city for failing to take stronger action on homeless encampments.

Homeless people are seen in Sacramento, California on July 12, 2022. Homelessness is a growing problem in Sacramento. Last year, the city passed San Francisco in homeless population numbers

A homeless encampment is shaded by a tree in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug. 12, 2022. Citizens said the homeless encampments are taking over the sidewalks, driving them out of their homes 

'City Hall allows camping on City Hall property at night, but they don't allow it during the day. I ask the city to extend the same protection they give to themselves to the rest of us,' he said. 

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg responded saying he understands the district attorney's frustrations but said, 'Some of us are actually working day and night to try and make the problem better. You are going about this all wrong.'

Steinberg said he has made offers to work together with the district attorney's office, but now they are acting in bad faith. 

The district attorney said he supports a variety of solutions including enforcing laws and establishing new programs to provide services to people facing addiction or mental health issues. 

He also backs the proposed changes in the state's conservatorship system that would make it easier for authorities to mandate treatment for those with alcohol and drug use disorders.

In a statement, the mayor said: 'District Attorney Ho issued a letter to the city this morning that deflects responsibility, takes credit for programs the city initiated, lacks basic understanding of existing shelter management systems and funding structures, and includes a series of demands that would cripple the city financially.'

The lawsuit includes accounts from dozens of city residents living around 14 encampments. 

Some homeowners recounted being threatened with firearms at their front door and having their properties broken into and vandalized - which has driven some from their homes.

Ho's announcement included testimony from city residents. Emily Webb said people living an encampment near her home have trespassed on her property, blocked her driveway and threatened her family, but city officials have done little to clear the camp.

'We're losing sleep and exhausted from this stress. We are beyond frustrated and no longer feel comfortable or safe in our home.'

Homeless encampments on sidewalks in crime-ridden San Francisco 

Hollywood residents are complaining about a growing encampment near Selma Park, near a local school

In Hollywood, near Selma Park, the sidewalks are building up an array of tents, needles, and trash

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development found that California accounts for half of all homeless people in the country. Homelessness advocacy group Sacramento Steps Forward says that 9,278 homeless people live in Sacramento County.

Roughly three-quarters of the county´s homeless population is unsheltered, and the majority of that group are living on Sacramento streets. 

Ho was elected to office in June 2022 after running on a campaign to address the homelessness crisis.

In 2022, California's state capital city saw homeless population numbers grow higher than San Francisco. 

Crime data from from the California Department of Justice found that in 2022 there were 8,894 violent crimes in Sacramento County. 

Homeless encampments are a growing statewide problem. In Hollywood, residents are outraged over a growing encampment near Selma Park.

In San Francisco, the police department is struggling to recruit cops as it tries to combat the homeless crisis and open drug use.