Take Back Santa Cruz : Home

Take Back Santa Cruz does most of its lobbying campaigns from a closed FB page hidden from public scrutiny. Typically , as in the following example, false facts,partial truths or just plain old out and out lies are promoted with the intent of getting people stirred up and angry. (think Trump rallies) Recently Kim Laney took the charge on marketing the ordinance change as a “repeal of the camping ordinance” which is blatantly untrue.( think Fox news) Aside from a call to action type request for emails , what you will also see are templates of letters to write as examples of what to send to City Council or the Sentinel. In almost all cases, TBSC FB members are told SPECIFICALLY what policy position TBSC leaders want them to assume with no leeway for an opposing view. This isn't democracy in action it's an out and out lobbyist machine with FB group members as the army.

The camping ordinance amendment discussion took place on March 8 in City Council Chambers.
Prior to the council meeting, a call to action against the ordinance change was called for by admin one of the TBSC admins, Kim Laney.

Rather than try and moderate an impartial discussion or allow for an educational sharing of different strategies for dealing with homelessness, Kim used fear and revulsion to scare the readers into adopting the TBSC POV. Accepting the change of the law making it illegal for homeless people to sleep at night would automatically result in poop showing up all over the streets of Santa Cruz. Pee as well. More needles would show up too. Homeless from all over the Unitied States would somehow get word that Santa Cruz was too compassionate and therefor like a homeless trip advisor . a welcome mat beacon would shine, "If you're homeless, come to Santa Cruz." There was no fact based justification for any of these claims, just a bunch of fear translating into anger, directed at so called liberals, progressives and of course the homeless and the needles. Always the needles. You would think TBSC would be lobbying for a safe injection site or more disposal kiosks but ….that would mean they were seeking a solution.

A statement from Don Lane , which was never communicated on the Take Back Santa Cruz FB page reads in part
"....Let me pause here to say that I have no problem with our city—or any city—having an ordinance
that prohibits camping in locations not suitable or appropriate for camping. I think it’s important
for us to have laws that regulate littering, dumping, trespassing and use of public sidewalks. I
think it’s appropriate for a city to have time of use restrictions for public parks. These are rules
that protect the community against voluntary behaviors that either cause harm or have the
potential to cause harm. Still, I do wonder what the harm is from the act of sleeping or wrapping
oneself in a blanket on a cold night. And, more importantly, I wonder what the harm is when a
government penalizes people for behavior they cannot and should not avoid.
I am not alone in my concern about this harm. "

The proposed amendment which failed in a 5-2 vote would have removed the following wording.

(a) Sleeping – 11 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. To sleep at any time between the hours of 11 p.m. to 8:30
a.m. in any of the following places:
(1) Outdoors with or without bedding, tent, hammock or other similar protection or equipment;
(2) In, on or under any structure not intended for human occupancy, whether with or without
bedding, tent, hammock or other similar protection or equipment;
(3) In, on or under any parked vehicle, including an automobile, bus, truck, camper, trailer or
recreational vehicle


The following was to remain an ordinance as were ordinances against urination and defecation in public.
(c b) Setting-up Campsite – Anytime. To establish or maintain outdoors or in, on, or under any
structure not intended for human occupancy, at any time during the day or night, a temporary or
permanent place for cooking or residing, by setting up any bedding, sleeping bag, mattress, tent,
hammock or other camping equipment or by setting up any cooking equipment with the intent to
remain in that location overnight

But why bother with the truth.
Never stopped Take Back Santa Cruz before so why start now.