Amador County - Public comment by a homeless man during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting held the attention of county officials when he addressed misconceptions about homeless persons and alleged police harassment. David Hammock, a homeless man who lives in a van, said that despite opinions expressed before the Board, “not everyone out here that’s homeless is a drug addict.” He said that many he has encountered have been pushed out of their homes after losing their jobs. He also said that Jackson police regularly go under the library and confiscate tents and sleeping bags given to the homeless by the Interfaith Food Bank. According to Hammock, the homeless are ordered to leave the area. “I’m not asking for anything except for the county not to push the homeless people on other counties,” said Hammock. He said “Amador needs to step up to the plate” and address this problem. “There are smokescreens and they’re designed to hide the truth,” he said, referring to an “inaccurate” 2007 survey on the local homeless population. The issue alludes to a bigger problem for the county – a volunteer, county wide survey in January revealed that the number of local homeless could be twice or three times more than previously estimated. According to Beetle Barbour, housing director of the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency, homeless numbers are likely twice the 57 people counted in 2007. Some residents were outraged in February after hearing a false rumor that the National Hotel would begin housing homeless from the Bay Area. Hammock expressed his frustration at a system he felt ignored the homeless. However, private organizations are making efforts to strengthen the network of community organizations that help homeless persons. First 5 Director Nina Machado and Lynda Miller, Grant Director for Operation Care, are working to model a support network based on other county’s examples. Matthew Zanze, Director of Social Services, said the frustration expressed by Hammock is an all too common problem in Amador County. “People don’t see them as part of the landscape,” said Zanze. “This is my county, too,” Hammock added near the close of his comment. Supervisor Louis Boitano thanked him for his courage in coming to speak before the board. The board did not discuss the issue further. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.