News Summary
Anaheim city officials have unanimously voted to introduce an ordinance penalizing sleeping or lying on public sidewalks and benches, amid an escalating homelessness crisis. The new law classifies violations as misdemeanors, offering law enforcement discretion to provide alternative services such as mental health assistance. Influenced by a recent Supreme Court ruling, this decision comes as the city’s unsheltered population has surged by 37% over two years. Alongside this measure, new regulations regarding smoking and bicycle parts sales in public parks have also been approved.
Anaheim city officials voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance that criminalizes sleeping or lying down on public sidewalks and benches. This decision aims to address the growing homelessness crisis in the city and comes with significant implications for the city’s enforcement of public space usage.
The new law categorizes violations as misdemeanors, which could result in jail time for offenders. However, rather than solely relying on incarceration, law enforcement officers will have the option to connect individuals with mental health services or housing programs as alternatives to punitive measures. This approach aims to provide supportive resources for individuals affected by homelessness while enforcing the new regulations.
This ordinance was influenced by a recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, which empowered cities to enact prohibitions on public sleeping without a requirement to provide shelter or services beforehand. This shift provides municipalities like Anaheim greater flexibility in managing public spaces and addressing homelessness. It is also reflective of a growing movement among various cities in California that are reassessing their policies on public sleeping and camping.
Significantly, Anaheim has seen a 37% increase in its unsheltered population over the past two years, with 4,173 individuals reported as unsheltered in Orange County this year. The city’s leaders recognize that the homelessness crisis has become increasingly pressing, thus necessitating a decisive response. Other nearby municipalities, including Newport Beach and Santa Ana, have also revised their laws to strengthen regulations concerning public sleeping and camping in light of the current judicial climate.
In addition to the new sleeping ordinance, the Anaheim City Council has approved other regulations. These include a ban on selling bicycle parts in public parks and an expansion of smoking prohibitions near schools and public transit areas. The smoking ban will now apply to all public parks, as well as designated distances around bus stops and schools, further emphasizing the city’s commitment to public safety and community well-being.
Anaheim’s new ordinances are aimed at safeguarding public spaces for their entire community, with officials acknowledging that these measures will significantly impact the unhoused population, who often rely on public rights-of-way as living spaces. City Attorney Rob Fabela confirmed that the new regulations apply universally but will particularly affect individuals utilizing public areas for shelter.
The City Council is expected to undertake a second vote on these ordinances, with a decision anticipated by October 29. Should these measures pass the subsequent vote, they are projected to take effect in late November, marking a pivotal moment in Anaheim’s approach to homelessness and public space management.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Anaheim Moves Forward on Toughening Laws Affecting Homeless People
- Google Search: Anaheim homelessness laws
- KTLA: This Orange County City is the Latest to Aggressively Attack its Homelessness Crisis
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- OC Register: Anaheim Will Ban Homeless from Occupying Sidewalks, Bus Benches
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- NBC Los Angeles: Newsom Threatens Lawsuit on Norwalk’s Homeless Shelter Ban
- Google News: Anaheim homelessness laws
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
