Anna Richardson, 28, has been homeless for half of her life.
Anna Richardson, 28, has been homeless for half of her life. The Santa Cruz native left home at 14 and has been living on the streets ever since. Over the past few years, she has been sharing her bit of sidewalk or grass with Miguel DeLeon, 35. The couple have accrued 20 citations for such things as camping illegally, bathing in public fountains and carrying open containers with alcohol in public.
All of that should end soon. A court gave the couple a permanent injunction against living in the street and any of the other anti-social behaviors associated with homelessness. According to Deputy City Attorney Susan Barisone, the step was taken because the couple had done nothing over the years to get back on their feet, and preferred to exploit public resources instead.
Jonathan Gettleman, who represented Richardson, disagrees with the ruling. According to him, his client has been active as a volunteer, helping other homeless people, and she is now in the process of enrolling at Cabrillo College. Nevertheless, he does not believe that he will appeal the court’s decision. This means that Richardson and her partner DeLeon had better find a place to live soon, or else the city may host them in jail. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
