http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/15622361.htm

Posted on Wed, Sep. 27, 2006

Campbell police detail targets day laborers

By Aaron Claverie
MediaNews

Campbell authorities are focusing attention on a popular gathering spot for day laborers with a newly formed police detail.

Over the weekend, police cited three day laborers near the Hamilton Avenue Home Depot store for drinking in public and two laborers were arrested for allegedly being drunken in public. And on Monday, a 25-year-old man was arrested for allegedly being drunken in public after an officer spotted him ``staggering about the Home Depot area.'' The 25-year-old man and one of the other men arrested over the weekend had outstanding warrants for their arrest.

The police said the detail wasn't prompted by public complaints or a request from the home improvement store chain's management.

``It was just an observation of activity we have been noticing lately, mostly alcohol related, occasionally a fight,'' said Campbell police Capt. David Dehaan. ``We said, `Hey, let's put a little more attention here.' ''

The department has set aside eight hours of overtime per week for the detail, which will run about a month, he said Tuesday.

Most of the laborers gather at the edge of the Home Depot parking lot, nearly 150 yards from a gas station that sells alcohol.

There is no specific area at the Campbell store for day laborers to gather, Dehaan said.

Home Depot has its own security force to monitor the store's parking lot and enforce the company's non-solicitation policy. The store works closely with police when there is a problem.

Home Depot spokeswoman Kathryn Gallagher said the security force is in place to keep the parking lot safe for customers.

``It's not focused on just one group,'' she said. ``Unless you're a vendor of the Home Depot you're not allowed on the property.''