Thread: Escondido CA will prohibit Day Laborers

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/12 ... 2_6_07.txt

ESCONDIDO ---- A new ordinance proposed by City Councilman Ed Gallo would make it illegal for day laborers to solicit or harass motorists from the street corners where they gather each morning to look for work.

Gallo said the new law would help many businesses on Quince Street that suffer because the presence of the laborers drives customers away. He said the law would also improve safety by prohibiting laborers from entering roadways to solicit work, and by making it illegal for drivers to pull over and pick up a laborer on arterial streets that have no parking spaces.

Three other members of the five-member council agreed Thursday that the city needs to address problems with laborers harassing people and harming businesses, and they said they were optimistic that the law Gallo is proposing could make a big difference.

Gallo said he was inspired by the city of Orange, which has been discussing such an ordinance this fall.

There was a strong backlash in Escondido last year when the council approved a law making landlords subject to fines and possible jail time if they did not remove illegal immigrants from their properties within 10 business days.

The city's law was quickly challenged in court, temporarily blocked by a federal judge and then abandoned by the council in the face of mounting legal costs.

Gallo said the new ordinacce is different because it is based on economics.

"These guys are a deterrent to businesses, and they are really suffering," said Gallo.

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Thanks for posting LawEnforcer!

Comments being left after this article too. As usual the UT has to get their jabs in here and there.
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Restriction on day laborers' gathering areas is sought


Councilman says plan will go to council soon
By J. Harry Jones
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

December 6, 2007

Escondido Councilman Ed Gallo announced yesterday that he will soon propose an ordinance targeting day laborers who gather on city streets because they are disturbing residents and hurting local businesses.
The ordinance would mirror regulations being discussed in the city of Orange, which is roughly the same size as Escondido, Gallo said.

“I've heard from people who are tired of being intimidated,â€