Neighbors Uneasy With Placerville Homeless Camp Allowing Sex Offenders

PLACERVILLE (CBS13) - Some call it a tent city, others call it a solution to the homeless problem in Placerville.

Whatever you call it, Hangtown Haven is not without its share of controversy.

You can see Hangtown Haven is really coming along, from the porta potties to the wash basins.

It even has a place to cook, but it's who's living among them that some people in Placerville find unsettling.

"The pedestrian traffic is just terrible," said Carolyn Byers.

Byers doesn't like Hangtown Haven so close to her home.

But they're far enough, more than a thousand feet, to house sex offenders.

Some registered offenders are among the nearly 50 people living in the legal homeless encampment.

"With two grandchildren right here on Point View, it's kind of we are very aware of it. We make sure our front door now is locked," said Byers.

"I would rather have them here and knowing where they are, than not having a way to track them," said Amanda Weaver, Hangtown Haven, Inc.

Weaver, who overseas Hangtown Haven, says she can't discuss how many registered sex offenders live there, but promises they are all following the rules.

So far, she says there've been few problems.

"Surprising, we haven't had a single altercation here," said Weaver.

People can't drink or do drugs; otherwise, they get kicked out.

"This is my tent; this is my Hilton," said resident Wally Mustain.

Mustain says this is one of the best places he's ever lived.

"It's protected, I can leave my stuff. Everybody is alright, everybody is good to each other," said Mustain.

For Brian Ansiel, it provides protection from what's on the other side of the fence.

"It's better than nothing at all," said Ansiel.

While Byers wants everyone here to have a place to stay, she just wishes the haven for the homeless didn't have to be so close to her home.

Everyone who lives in the haven must check in and check out when they leave the premise.

In order to live in the haven, you have to be a resident of El Dorado County for at least six months.

CBS13 did put in a call to the Placerville Police Department to see how many times they've been called out to the encampment, but calls were not returned.