Arson Probe and Arrests at Lee Gerner Park after Fire Destroys Homeless Encampment in Novato

Novato’s Lee Gerner Park, a site once offering temporary refuge for the city’s homeless population, became the center of an arson investigation following a fire in late July.

Hoodline Bay Area reported

that the fire, which started around 3:30 AM, destroyed tents, a portion of fencing, and a tree within the encampment.

City officials responded quickly to address the immediate needs of the campers after the eviction, ensuring their safety and facilitating temporary accommodation in light of the damage. Despite the turmoil, local emergency services ensured all camp residents were safely evacuated with no injuries noted during the incident. Two local residents, Brianna Giudice, 36, and Giovanni Allison, 39, were arrested following an investigation into the origins of the fire, which was suspected to be a deliberate act of arson. The Novato Police Department, informed by evidence linking the suspects to another fire the previous night, successfully apprehended them on multiple charges.

With the immediate crisis addressed, the future of Lee Gerner Park’s encampment became the subject of legal attention. The City has been adhering to a court-ordered settlement agreement enforced as part of a CDC COVID-19 order from 2022 to maintain the temporary camp. But this mandate, spanning two years, was terminated on October 13. Discussions over the continuation of the camp fell upon the City Council. However, deliberations were interrupted by Marin County Homeless Union’s motion for a court hearing to prolong the camp’s closure, the

City of Novato

revealed.

As a result, the once temporary refuge at Lee Gerner Park continues to serve its occupants, maintained by the presence of social service professionals, housing managers, and sanitary facilities. A court ruling, expected in early December, determines the encampment’s long-term status. The City Council is poised to address the camp’s future promptly following the issuance of this ruling at a public meeting.

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