Sen. Brian Jones joined local leaders to announce a bill that would make it illegal to camp within 1,000 feet of 'sensitive' areas where children gather.
Under Jones' bill, law enforcement would first issue verbal and written warnings to those living in the encampments within 1,000 feet of those"sensitive" areas that they need to leave the area within 72 hours or face removal and possible misdemeanor prosecution.
"We see this bill as a bridge from a life surviving in chaos to a bridge over to a solution," said Michael Branch, CEO of East County Transitional Living Center."We can work for a solution for change." For those facing removal, the legislation would also require they be provided with information about homeless resources and agencies in the area.
"Alpha Project strives not to manage homelessness, but rather to end it for its clients by offering jobs not handouts, respect not pity and empowerment not control," said Bob McElroy, CEO of Alpha Project, a homelessness-focused local nonprofit."We believe Senator Brian Jones's proposed legislation will help us carry out our organization's mission by finding the appropriate balance between accountability and compassion as we lift individuals out of homelessness.