‘Everybody knew Kelvin.’ Homeless man found dead at Sacramento Safe Ground camp
A homeless man named Kelvin Peterson, 30, was found dead in his tent Tuesday at a sanctioned Safe Ground tent encampment in Sacramento.
Other guests at the Safe Ground, located near Eighth and W streets, were in mourning Thursday.
“Everybody knew Kelvin,” said Billy Norman, 37. “He didn’t talk too much, but everyone knew Kelvin.”
Guests set up a memorial in the space at the edge of the dirt lot where Peterson’s tent used to be. It features two framed photos of Peterson holding his black and white dog, along with colorful bouquets of flowers and hand-written notes.
Jamie Wolfe Sr., another Safe Ground guest, said he found Peterson in his tent not moving, with his dogs on top of him. When he touched his ankle, it was “stone cold,” he said. That’s when he knew.
“This was a very gentle-hearted, soft-spoken young man who helped people and loved his dogs,” said Wolfe, 41. “He never cussed.”
Peterson’s uncle showed up to the Safe Ground Wednesday in tears, Wolfe said.
The coroner’s office has not determined the cause and manner of Peterson’s death.
City Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela, the driving force behind opening the Safe Ground, learned of the death from a reporter.
“I am heartbroken to hear of the death of a much-beloved resident of our WX safe ground,” Valenzuela, who represents the area, said in an email. “We have a long way to go to ensure everyone has the services and housing they need — I remain committed to doing all I can to make that vision a reality.”
The Safe Ground, which the city opened in March, is a fenced off dirt lot spanning several blocks under the W-X freeway. It provides homeless individuals a safe place to camp where they have access to bathrooms, showers, and security. The city contracts with organization First Step Communities to operate the site. The Safe Ground is set to close at the end of the year, so Caltrans can continue construction on the freeway, but the city plans to open additional Safe Ground sites in North Sacramento and south Sacramento.
Last year, 137 homeless people died in Sacramento County. So far this year, 107 homeless people have died in the county, according to coroner data.
This story was originally published October 15, 2021 at 7:14 AM.
