Stockton serial killings: 4 of 7 known victims were experiencing homelessness

REPORTS ON THE CONCERN AMONG THE UNHOUSED. >> WITH NEARLY 900 INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN STOCKTON. WE ALL ARE, WE ALL ARE SCARED WORD IS SPREADING AMONG THE COMMUNITY ABOUT A SERIES OF KILLINGS, INVOLVING A FEW UNHOUSED RESIDENTS. >> I KNOW THAT POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TO DO THEIR ROUNDS, BUT I THINK WE JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE BACKUP AND COME A LITTLE MORE OFTEN AROUND TO SUPERVISE >> SOME OF THEM HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT AND THEY’RE CONCERNED. THEY ARE HAPPY THAT THE OFFICERS ARE OUT THERE MAKING THAT POLSITIVE CONTACT WITH THEM LETTING THEM KNOW EXACTLY WHAT’S GOING ON ┗> LYDIA YAÑEZ HAS BEEN LIVING OUT HERE FOR A FEW YEARS AND SAYS THAT TRYING TO TURN HER LIFE AROUND HAS BEEN TOUGH. >> THREE YEARS AND IT’S REALLY HARD. IT’S REALLY HARD TO GET A HOME. I’VE LOOKED EVERYWHERE, PRACTICALLY ALL OF STOCKTON AND HOSUING IS HIGH. THEY WANT LIKE, TRIPLE THE RENT AND THERE’S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT CAN’T HAVE TRIPLE THE RENT SO, AS POLICE KEEP INVESTIGATING WHETHER UNHOUSED RESIDENTS OR LATINOS ARE THE TARGET THEY’RE MAKING SURE THAT INFORMATION IS BEING SPREAD IN SPANISH. OUR STRATEGIC COMMUNITY OFFICERS HAVE BEEN GOING OUT TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS IN NORTH STOCKTON PASSING OUT SOME FLYERS AND REWARD INFORMATION, AND TELLING OUR HOMEELSS POPULATION ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON AND HOW TO REMAIN SAFE. >> ST MARY’S DINING ROOM HAS BEEN A SAFE HAVEN FOR PEOPLE FOR DECADES AND CONTINUES TO BE SO. >> ST MARY’S DINING ROOM IN DT STOCKTON ASSISTS ABOUT 500 PEOPLE A DAY WITH DIFFERENT SERVICES AND SAID THAT THEY’RE RECENTLY UPPING SAFETY AWARENESS AND RESOURCES. >> MOST OF THE INDIVIDUALS STAYING IN THE ENCAMPMENTS NEARBY COME HERE EVERY DAY FOR 3 MEALS AND SO, WE HAVE A LOT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THEM, A LOT OF RESOURCES. IT’S JUST THAT THE RESOURCES ARE LIMITED. >> STOCKTON POLICE SAY THAT THEY’RE LOOKING INTO THEIR UNSOLVED CRIMES AND HOMICIDES TO DETERMINE IF THERE COULD BE OTHER CASES CONNECTED TO THIS SERIES OF CRIMES. IN STOCKTON, KCRA3 NEWS. >> TONIGHT, WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE VERY FIRST VICTIM. JUAN SERRANO WAS FROM OAKLAND. HE WAS ALSO HOMELESS AT THE TIME HE WAS MURDERED, IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR. PEOPLE WHO KNEW HIM DESCRIBE HIM AS HUMBLE AND WELL-LIKED. >> THE STOCKTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A TIP LINE FOR ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THESE KILLINGS. THAT NUMBER IS ON YOUR SCREEN. 209 937 81-67. YOU CAN ALSO E-MAIL INFORMATIO

Four of the victims identified in the string of killings in Stockton spanning over the course of a year were unhoused, leading to some worried about their safety. Lydia Yáñez has been without a home for about three years. She said she has been trying to turn her life around and get back on her feet but the cost of living is a struggle. In the meanwhile, she feels vulnerable."I know that police officers have to do their rounds, but I think we just need a little bit more backup and come a little more often around to supervise," Yáñez said. San Joaquín County's 2022 annual count of unhoused individuals in Stockton showed a decline in homelessness from 2019, although information for only four cities was submitted. Of the 1,354 unhoused residents in the county, 65% are in Stockton with 893 individuals counted to be homeless on any given night.Joe Silva with the Stockton Police Department said that about a dozen officers are part of a team that goes out to encampments to talk to the homeless community and offer resources. He said that part of the work that they've been doing recently includes making them aware of the person of interest and the crimes against at least four unhoused."Our strategic community officers have been going out to homeless encampments in north Stockton passing out some flyers and reward information and telling our homeless population about what's going on and how to remain safe," Silva said. He added that they're also making sure that the information is being distributed in Spanish.As far as solving the investigation goes, officers are looking into if there may be other cases connected with the seven attacks spanning from April 2021 to late September 2022. Less than a mile away from the police department, St. Mary's Dining Room and the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless have been a safe haven for unhoused individuals for decades.They've been assisting about 500 people a day with different services and meals. Recently, Petra Linden, CEO of the organization, said that they're upping safety awareness and resources after hearing concerns from several of the people who go there for services."Most of the individuals staying in the encampments nearby come here every day for three meals and so, we have a lot of engagement with them — a lot of resources. It's just that the resources are limited," Linden said.She said that although they currently don't offer overnight housing services, they're working to add some units next year.Related CoverageStockton serial killings: Everything we know and don't know so farSerial killers are 'very complicated psychologically, to investigate,' experts sayVideo of person of interest released, ballistics connect shootingsHow the Stockton community is coming together amid serial killing fearsWhat we're learning about victims of the Stockton serial killingsHispanic, Latino community concerned about pattern of victims

STOCKTON, Calif. —

Four of the victims identified in the string of killings in Stockton spanning over the course of a year were unhoused, leading to some worried about their safety.

Lydia Yáñez has been without a home for about three years. She said she has been trying to turn her life around and get back on her feet but the cost of living is a struggle. In the meanwhile, she feels vulnerable.

"I know that police officers have to do their rounds, but I think we just need a little bit more backup and come a little more often around to supervise," Yáñez said.

San Joaquín County's 2022 annual count of unhoused individuals in Stockton showed a decline in homelessness from 2019, although information for only four cities was submitted.

Of the 1,354 unhoused residents in the county, 65% are in Stockton with 893 individuals counted to be homeless on any given night.

Joe Silva with the Stockton Police Department said that about a dozen officers are part of a team that goes out to encampments to talk to the homeless community and offer resources. He said that part of the work that they've been doing recently includes making them aware of the person of interest and the crimes against at least four unhoused.

"Our strategic community officers have been going out to homeless encampments in north Stockton passing out some flyers and reward information and telling our homeless population about what's going on and how to remain safe," Silva said.

He added that they're also making sure that the information is being distributed in Spanish.

As far as solving the investigation goes, officers are looking into if there may be other cases connected with the seven attacks spanning from April 2021 to late September 2022.

Less than a mile away from the police department, St. Mary's Dining Room and the Stockton Shelter for the Homeless have been a safe haven for unhoused individuals for decades.

They've been assisting about 500 people a day with different services and meals. Recently, Petra Linden, CEO of the organization, said that they're upping safety awareness and resources after hearing concerns from several of the people who go there for services.

"Most of the individuals staying in the encampments nearby come here every day for three meals and so, we have a lot of engagement with them — a lot of resources. It's just that the resources are limited," Linden said.

She said that although they currently don't offer overnight housing services, they're working to add some units next year.

Related Coverage

Stockton serial killings: 4 of 7 known victims were experiencing homelessness

Top Picks