Author: Jackson

Date: Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 6:14 PM
Subject: Re: Binford Rd Encampments
To: Lucan, Eric <[email protected]>

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the response. I know that Marin County is throwing money at Binford like crazy. I’m concerned that there is no strategy in place for permanently removing the vehicle encampment from the wetlands. I understand that this is a complex issue involving many parties; however, the County’s approach (or lack thereof) is completely unsustainable. Furthermore, I believe that the County is creating a larger problem for us by focusing time, energy and both financial and human resources to providing more amenities to Binford Road, instead of focusing on removing the encampment from that location. I appreciate that there has been some progress in removing abandoned vehicles. I would expect that with the number of years that this has been an issue, the County would have already devised a thoughtfully-designed Strategic Plan. It doesn’t appear to me that the County is committed to a long-term solution for the vehicle encampment or the problem of it contaminating the Rush Creek Preserve.

I’m open to a phone call if you’re open to discussing long-term solutions. I care deeply about those wetlands and I deeply care about protecting open space and natural resources, particularly in Novato. I love this city and I’m truly saddened to see what the County is allowing to happen here. We’re counting on you to stand up for us. I think you know that this would have been dealt with long ago if it was happening somewhere like Ross or Larkspur or Tiburon. I imagine that you’re being torn in many directions within your role — and I hope that you’ll pull the County back on course to protect the wetlands and find more appropriate housing for the individuals who truly need help.

Thank you for representing our District. Please help us make it better.

Sincerely,

Naya Calmels

Marin County Sheriff’s Office

In the early morning of Tuesday, April 18th, a Deputy located a vehicle with expired and suspended registration in the area of Binford Rd in Novato.

The driver was determined to be on Felony Probation, out of Sonoma County for various financial crimes and identity theft.

A search of the vehicle subsequent to the drivers Probation terms yielded a multitude of stolen mail, financial documents, banks cards and social security cards and multiple cans of Bear Mace (pepper spray).

The driver was arrested for possession of stolen property, misappropriation of lost/stolen property, being a felon in possession of pepper spray, and expired registration.

The driver was booked at the Marin County Jail, with a $10,000 bail amount

Hi Eric,

Below are the ongoing Binford Violations:

1) Sewage pipe going into the wetlands.  Nevada plates. 

2) White pick up with nose over fog lines on dangerous blind curve at a 55 mph speed limit. 

3) Harley Davidson photo to add along with the restored Chevy Nova, Jets skis, expensive trucks stored and parked on Binford Rd.  Most Novato residents cannot afford such vehicles.  

4) Stolen shopping cart and junk in the wetlands area 

I spoke to Deputy Brain (sp) this morning and it is my understanding that he will not be ticketing the pick-up sticking out in the road OR the RV that has been parked in the opposite direction on the wetlands side for weeks.  Nor the stolen shopping cart.  This may be considered “picking on the homeless” from the BOS?  Enforcing the law for public safety “is picking on the homeless?”

Fish and Wildlife are not enforcing the law and are in dereliction of their duties.  There are multiple lawn chairs, tables and other personal items, much of it junk in the preserve.  RV residents have cut the fences and Fish and Game will not repair them.

1. Truck parked IN THE ROAD on Binford Rd with a man having a social call with a resident.  Speed limit is 55mph and cars/trucks drive faster.

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2. County workers repairing the daily vandalism of the SMART train fences on Binford Rd at taxpayers’ expense.  Fences are cut by RV residents so they can take an alternate route.  This is dangerous for foot traffic as there are active trains on this railroad track.

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3. Five of ten bags of trash picked up in one hour by Novato volunteers.  RV residents sat in lawn chairs and watched as volunteers picked up their trash.

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4. Pitbull mix in makeshift dog run/cage.

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5. “Only in Marin” do our “unhoused” have recreational vehicles (boats and jet skis).  This is one of three jet skis stored for free on Binford Rd by RV residents.  Jet ski’s and boats can be sold and the money from the sale can be put toward a deposit for a rental.

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6. Second truck sticking out in the road on a blind turn where drivers drive over 55 mph.

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7. Makeshift hose for human waste which drains into the wetlands.  Eric Lucan and Fish and Wildlife are not doing anything to stop this.  The Audubon Society and Sierra Club are noticeably mute and like Fish and Wildlife are doing nothing to help with the pollution of our wetlands.

Photo of a RV that does not have  paid registration or a license plate parked on Binford Rd.  The Sheriff’s Dept has stated that if a vehicle is considered a “home” for someone, they do not have to pay registration fees OR have a license plate.  

Another example of a set of rules for some and a set of rules for the taxpayers.  

This RV has a propane tank right next to the road which can easily be run over and explode.  I have asked the MCSD several times to have this removed.

Marin to expand services at Novato vehicle camp

Commentary:

They are hiring more people which doesn’t adequately address the problem. 

We had about half a dozen volunteers out Monday April 10 picking up trash in and around the wetlands. There was human waste, used tampons etc.  There is also an RV with a tube hooked up where human waste is going into the wetlands. 

Fish and Wildlife are doing nothing.  

The below article did not mention the drugs, hoarding and human feces around and in the wetlands. 

Next steps is to continually hound Fish and Wildlife and make noise in the community and on social media.  

1) Marin Humane is patrolling daily because of loose dogs and dogs tied up to fences with no one around.

2) One RV on the city side of Binford was towed yesterday. MHS removed two angry Pitbulls from the RV.

3) Fish and Game have failed us and are doing nothing. Please come to my wetlands clean up this Monday April 10 at 11am for one hour. Meet at the Rush Creek trailhead. Bring gloves and boots. I will provide the trash bags.

4) Two boats and jet skis have been tagged for removal.

5) Man who lives in $80K camper and has a restored $75K Chevy Nova is just going to move his Chevy Nova every 72 hours.

6) Lucan remains mute about long term solutions and is not acknowledging our ideas for former Honor Farm spot at 301 Smith Ranch Rd for relocation of RVs.

7) Authorities removed squatters around Russian River who were hoarding into the wetlands. We fear these campers will be moving to Binford Rd where it is known on the internet that “Novato leaves you alone.”

8) Berms and Krails are not going up fast enough in empty spaces. Two more RVs moved in and a lime green van.

9) Lucan will not have any RV resident displaced from Binford at this time.

10) I have consulted counsel about suing Fish and Game for dereliction of duties. I was told which route to take which may or may not work. Government has all our money and power.

11) Please have everyone you know, no matter where they live, email [email protected] and voice your displeasure and your solutions. Keep the pressure on. Right now he is either not responding or giving the same exact canned response.