Society & Culture
"We're trying to make it livable out here. I mean, my tent is the big one over there and, you know, just it's, I think it's ridiculous. I think it's ridiculous when the cops have to come out here and pull all of us out of here. We're not doing anything wrong, you know, we're trying to live just like they do every day. We're trying to get back on our feet and it's hard." That’s Kelly at Fisherman’s Park near the Truckee River on the Reno/Sparks line, fearing more police sweeps. Advocates are pushing for mental health and social workers to do outreach rather than police criminalizing those without stable shelter. Kelly has been through so much. She’s lost three of her four children along the way, and her security job during the pandemic. She gave up a motel spot paid with vouchers to take care of a dog, and returned to living in a tent. Our reporter for this episode is Richard Bednarski.