A recent report from the American Civil Liberties Union detailed alarming conditions at three of Orange County's emergency homeless shelters: The Courtyard Shelter, Bridges at Kraemer Place, and SAFEPlace. But some Orange County officials are taking issue with the report.
"We would not let the kind of stuff that is alleged to happen on a regular basis," said Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do.
"Could someone bring something in and were caught unaware in that moment? Sure. But is it a persistent, systemic problem? No. Categorically no."
Among the allegations made against homeless shelters in Orange County are stories of both physical and sexual abuse.
Michael Diehl — who was interviewed as part of the ACLU report — was staying in The Courtyard shelter when he says he was assaulted by a security guard.
"I showed them my bag and I emptied my pockets. And I told the security guard that it had just dawned to me that I was more than an hour and a half late on taking my seizure medication. I asked him if he wouldn't mind keeping an eye on me until my medication has time to get into my system," explained Diehl.
"And he got done going through my bag and I gathered my stuff and started walking my bunk. He's all, 'Hey hold on a minute. C'mere. I think I need to physically pat you down.' I said, did what I said do you go in one ear and out the other? I need to take my seizure medication. And I turned around started walking that way. He came up behind me, picked me up, and slammed me down to the ground."
