Post by Logan on Jun 23, 2016 21:28:54 GMT -6
Los Angeles may pass new ban on homeless people living in cars
More than 4,600 cars and RVS were in use as living quarters this year in Los Angeles, a rise that has sparked bitter complaints that homeless people are taking up scarce street parking, dumping trash and bringing increased crime and safety risks into neighborhoods.
A federal appeals court last year struck down the city's ban on vehicle dwelling, calling it an invitation to discriminate against the poor. Now, what could be a new legal confrontation with homeless advocates is shaping up as the City Council is poised Friday to adopt a new ban that could link enforcement to providing restricted parking for homeless people to sleep in their cars.
At the city’s homelessness and poverty committee Wednesday, Councilman Mike Bonin proposed barring homeless people from “lodging” in vehicles parked by homes and schools, while allowing them to sleep in their cars and campers from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in commercial areas and in designated city, nonprofit agency and church lots.
Bonin said his proposal could forestall a more sweeping ban and avoid repeating what he called “absurd and pathetic” scenarios of the past, when police would ask people to get out of their cars to sleep on the sidewalks.
Read more: www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-homeless-car-ban-20160623-snap-story.html
More than 4,600 cars and RVS were in use as living quarters this year in Los Angeles, a rise that has sparked bitter complaints that homeless people are taking up scarce street parking, dumping trash and bringing increased crime and safety risks into neighborhoods.
A federal appeals court last year struck down the city's ban on vehicle dwelling, calling it an invitation to discriminate against the poor. Now, what could be a new legal confrontation with homeless advocates is shaping up as the City Council is poised Friday to adopt a new ban that could link enforcement to providing restricted parking for homeless people to sleep in their cars.
At the city’s homelessness and poverty committee Wednesday, Councilman Mike Bonin proposed barring homeless people from “lodging” in vehicles parked by homes and schools, while allowing them to sleep in their cars and campers from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in commercial areas and in designated city, nonprofit agency and church lots.
Bonin said his proposal could forestall a more sweeping ban and avoid repeating what he called “absurd and pathetic” scenarios of the past, when police would ask people to get out of their cars to sleep on the sidewalks.
Read more: www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-homeless-car-ban-20160623-snap-story.html