A recent measure enacted by the San Diego City Council bans tent encampments in all public spaces in the Southern California city with the supposed exception if shelter beds for the homeless are available.
Additionally, the law bans all tent encampments in parks, canyons and areas next to schools, transit stations and even homeless shelters, regardless of shelter capacity. Enforcement of the law was held off until 30 days after the first so-called “safe sleeping” lot was opened close to downtown.
The law was backed by Democratic Mayor Todd Gloria and introduced by City Councilman Stephen Whitburn, also a Democrat.
Dubbed the “Unsafe Camping Ordinance,” the measure was signed into law following a 5-4 decision in favor by the City Council on June 27. Homeless advocates have rightly pointed out that the new law does nothing to help the homeless find shelter and if anything, will just push the unhoused population into the city’s outer suburbs.
Supporters of the measure, like Mayor Gloria, cynically argued that because there was shelter and services being offered by the city this justified a ban on camping that was “posing a health and safety risk to the public.”
Gloria argued that with the meager resources being provided by the city towards homelessness services it was, “right and appropriate for us to set the expectation that people experiencing homelessness must avail themselves of the services we are providing.” Throughout the city, especially downtown and areas frequented...
Police have launched an investigation into alleged false accusation by Park Cheol-min, a former member of the Seongnam International Mafia. Park, ahead of the 2022 presidential election, raised al...