Santa Ana homeless

A crowd listens to speakers address the Santa Ana City Council as members consider voting to declare the area’s homeless encampment a “public health and safety crisis.”

Santa Ana City Council Mayor Pro Tem Vicente Sarmiento, left, and Mayor Miguel Pulido listen to a speaker make a point as they consider the homeless problem.

Tim Houchen, a homeless advocate, addresses the City Council.

Homeless men, women, children and animals and their belongings take over much of the Santa Ana Civic Center complex.

The homeless encampment at the Civic Center.

Bonnie Smith, who has been on the streets on and off since the age of 12, rests under an umbrella at the homeless encampment.

Government workers in the Civic Center say they are fearful of the homeless staying there.

Many residents and social workers voiced worries that a City Council resolution allows for the criminalization of the homeless because it calls for beefed-up policing and stricter enforcement.