Council Blasted Over Needles, Homeless, Safety

Dozens of angry Santa Cruz residents implored the city council Tuesday to do something about the crime, garbage and drug paraphernalia turning up around the city.

Many said they no longer felt safe here and the city has become a threatening place to raise children.

One man reported stepping on a needle outside Denny's and said he's awaiting tests because he now has a five percent chance of contracting HIV. Others said they feared taking kids to parks and beaches because of the needles.

Only one person spoke up to ask the council to come up with more services for the homeless. Others suggested getting rid of freebies at the Homeless Services Center and cracking down on the needle exchange, which they said was enabling drug users.

As the public hearing was closing, people were yelling at the council from the audience, causing Mayor Hilary Bryant to take a break.

See the videos above.