We are asking the John Stewart Company and Tannery Campus Management to increase security measures across the Tannery campus now, so residents, studio tenants, businesses, and community members can feel safe and protected.

The Tannery Art Center is a shared place where people live, work, create, and visit. It includes families with young children, older residents, artists, employees, business owners, and many others who deserve a campus that feels secure and welcoming. When the surrounding area changes, especially during the routine clearing and fencing of the Coral Street encampment, the pressure on the campus increases. After those clearings, people experiencing homelessness often move behind the Metro yard and along the levee, and that has led to more foot traffic through and around the Tannery campus.

Residents and tenants have seen more trespassing, loitering, drug-related activity, and other concerning behavior during these periods. We understand that homelessness, housing insecurity, and related community issues are serious and complex, and we are not asking JSCO to solve those larger problems. We are asking for security that is properly scaled to the needs of the campus.

We request more frequent and visible on-site patrols, especially during evening, overnight, and weekend hours; consistent coverage during the 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. shift; consideration of a second security shift or additional personnel; stronger monitoring of entrances, walkways, parking areas, and other common spaces; and clear communication about security hours, contact information, and how to report concerns.

We will submit a separate request to the Santa Cruz Police Department for increased patrols along the levee and River Walk adjacent to the Tannery campus. We have also formed a Health and Safety Committee to help address resident concerns in a practical way.

We want to work with management to keep the Tannery safe, and we ask for a prompt written response outlining current security measures, planned changes, and the steps being taken to address these concerns.