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Sunday, May 14, 2006
Last modified Friday, May 12, 2006 12:28 AM PDT

Former day-laborer site fenced off in Fallbrook

By: TOM PFINGSTEN - Staff Writer

FALLBROOK ---- A vacant lot east of downtown Fallbrook where day laborers had gathered to wait for work has been shuttered by neighbors, who recently fenced off the property, weeks after illegal-immigration opponents targeted it with a one-day protest.

The dirt lot, on the northwest corner of Stage Coach Lane and Alvarado Street, had been a popular gathering spot for mostly Latino migrant workers seeking employment.

A neighbor said Thursday that she and other residents decided to put a fence around the lot because it had become an eyesore and a safety concern.

"It was getting very trashy ---- sofas would end up there, and goodness knows what else," said Bridget Canchola, who lives across the street from the site. "It ended up being a disgrace."

Canchola said a handful of neighbors worked together Sunday to erect a 6-foot-tall chain link fence around the lot and plant some trees and bushes on the strip of dirt bordering the roads.

The fence holds a small sign that states, "This corner has been beautified by the people in this neighborhood of Fallbrook. Thank you to everyone for all of your time, money, effort and support. This is not a pick up or drop off area for laborers."

Canchola said she has not seen anyone express hard feelings over the refurbishing, but has witnessed many smiles and thumbs-up gestures because of it.

"We're really happy with it," she said, adding that prior to putting up the fence, traffic conditions would grow dangerous in the morning, as drivers slowed to pick up workers.

Illegal-immigration activist Jeff Schwilk, founder of the San Diego Minutemen, said Thursday he was pleased that the hiring site has been effectively shut down. Schwilk was among those who protested at the property in March, carrying signs and snapping photos of day laborers and those who drove up to hire them.

Schwilk said the property was reportedly the largest day-laborer gathering spot in Fallbrook.

"The problem is solved ---- in the past two days, there have been no workers around, lingering at the site," Schwilk said. "It's a closed case, as far as I'm concerned.

"The residents are thrilled ---- they're not looking at 50 guys on the corner every morning," he added. "They're not seeing any guys loitering or transiting the area on their way to somewhere else."

"Maybe the dynamic is changing a little bit as people are getting together to solve problems," Schwilk said.

Contact staff writer Tom Pfingsten at (760) 731-5799 or tpfingsten@nctimes.com.