In Sacramento, sleeping outside is illegal now, punishable by a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

See:  Debunking Five Myths About Sacramento’s Latest Homelessness Debate

From the article: “City code 12.52.030 prohibits camping on any public or private property—so, everywhere—unless it’s for temporary recreation or events. In other words, it’s OK to sleep outside unless that’s your only choice.”

Paula Lomazzi, a former homeless woman commented, “When there’s not [another] option for everyone, that’s like saying you can’t exist.”

Erica Talbott, a Sacramento elementary school teacher shared her experience, “I find it absolutely tragic that the students in my classroom … are unable to learn during the day because they are unable to sleep at night, all due to the camping ordinance that’s in place. Because of this law, my 8-year-olds are criminals.”

Want to know what it feels like when you’ve done nothing wrong, but sleeping outside is your only option?

Check out this series of articles about my own four years homeless, “The Homeless Experience” at www.bethanyyeiser.com.

My history:

I have never abused drugs or alcohol. I was a university honors student before I developed schizophrenia, refused all contact with friends and family, and became homeless for four years. During my last year homeless, I slept in a churchyard every night, suffering from hallucinations and hearing voices. I believed that a billionaire would miraculously show up in the churchyard and ask me to marry him, and faithfully waited for him until 2007, when I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After beginning an effective medication, I returned to college and finished my molecular biology bachelor’s degree with honor. My memoir about this journey, Mind Estranged, was published in 2014.

Please check out “The Homeless Experience.” I’ve written essays including “Finding Shelter in Bitter Cold Weather,” “Hardcore Homeless,” “Criminalization vs. Care” “Money Talk” and others. Get into the mind of a person wandering the streets, mumbling back at the voices, and sleeping outside. Every person who is sleeping outside without another option needs help, not jail time.