In what could be a major shift in dealing with homelessness, the Garden Grove City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve the introduction and first reading of an anti-camping ordinance.
“The city has taken the homelessness issue head-on and has been successful,” said Councilmember George Brietigam (District 1) and “not in a heartless way,” citing the many services and programs available to the unhoused and a reduction in the count of such people.
The council voted 7-0 in favor of an ordinance banning camping in public places and interfering with public access. If passed and enacted into law on a second reading at its next meeting, the new law would prohibit such activity on public property such as streets, alleyways, sidewalks, medians, parkways, driveways, rights of way, restrooms, public benches, bus benches, bus shelters, parks, open space, storm drains, public buildings or parking lots…