Citing safety concerns, the Anaheim City Council is the latest to vote through measures aimed at taking the local unhoused population off the streets.
In a meeting on Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to ban people from sleeping or keeping their belongings on public rights-of-way spaces. These spaces include sidewalks, streets, bus stops and park benches.
“The sidewalk belongs to everybody,” council member Jose Diaz said. “Not to an individual who wants to grab that piece of land. It’s not yours to grab. You either take services from us or you get out.”
The laws also ban blocking driveways and entrances to businesses where the public is invited. Anaheim already had laws in place to prevent camping in public places like parks and government buildings, but sidewalks and streets were not included.
The ordinance, Municiple Code 11.11, specifically bans the “obstruction” of public rights-of-ways. Police officers will have discretion to issue citations or make arrests. The ordinance will need to pass another round of voting before becoming law, but it is expected to pass.
The Anaheim City Council unanimously voted to ban sleeping on public spaces like sidewalks, park benches and bus stops on Tuesday, Oct. 8. (KTLA)
Among those lobbying the city council to enact stricter laws to curb the homelessness crisis were hotel owners and managers. Anaheim, a popular tourism city with Disneyland in its backyard, has received backlash from visitors due to the crisis, business managers claimed.
“We need help to protect our employees and guests,” said Greg Isenman, general manager of the Tropicana and Camelot hotels. “It is getting out all over the world and people don’t want to come to a place that’s not safe.”
Several homeless encampments are seen at Stoddard Park in Anaheim. (Amy Robbins)
Opponents at the Tuesday meeting that expressed concerns about the ordinance asked why the city wouldn’t attack the problems of high-housing costs and implement more affordable housing. At that same meeting, the council approved a proposed law that could force developers to create more affordable housing developments, according to the Voice of OC.
The concerns were felt by council member Natalie Rubalcava, who said the city would help people get off the street and into rehabilitation centers.
Pushes to curb unhoused populations across the state come after a U.S. Supreme Court decision this spring ruled that local governments can cite people for “camping” on public land and in public spaces.
Governor Gavin Newsom helps clear an encampment under the 5 Freeway in Mission Hills in Los Angeles County on August 8, 2024. (California Governor’s Office)
The issue has been a particular focus for Gov. Gavin Newsom this year. He has threatened to withhold funds for counties that refuse to take down encampments cramping on public spaces.
“This is not about criminalization,” Newsom said in August. “What’s criminal is neglecting people who are struggling, suffering and dying on our watch. We need local government to step up. This is a crisis. The state’s unprecedented billions of dollars of support? I’m not interested in providing that support and not seeing the results. I’m a taxpayer, not just the governor. It’s not complicated. We’ll send that money to counties that are producing results.”
Citing safety concerns, the Anaheim City Council is the latest to vote through measures aimed at taking the local unhoused population off the streets. In a meeting on Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to ban people from sleeping or keeping their belongings on public rights-of-way spaces. These spaces include sidewalks, streets, bus stops and park […]
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