Thread: Orange day-labor crackdown having impact

Enforcement Works...Who Knew ?!?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Orange day-labor crackdown having impact
New ordinances curbing day-laborer solicitation yield drop in numbers, officials say.
By ELLYN PAK
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Comments 34| Recommend 17

ORANGE – Police officials have started handing out citations in an effort to curb day-laborer activity around the city.

"It's actually been very, very effective," said Councilman Jon Dumitru, who rode along with a police officer last week. "I've never seen a city ordinance work this well."

For decades, Orange has grappled with how to deal with problems stemming from hundreds of day laborers who seek work in the city. Passing out fliers that advertised the city-run Resource Center failed. Signs on private property banning solicitation were ineffective. Warnings were ignored.

Now, officials say they may have found a solution by tightening regulations that forbid the temporary workers from congregating on sidewalks and parking lots. The ordinances kicked in last Friday when 10 citations were handed out.

"Oh my God, there's been a change," said Rose Esquivel, manager of the Big Lots at North Tustin Street. "It went from 100 guys out there to five or six… I think they're going to be scared. As soon as they see the police officer, they'll walk out of the areas."

Esquivel said the problems stemmed from day laborers seeking work at a Home Depot adjacent to her store. Customers complained daily of harassment and public nuisances, Esquivel said.

The ordinances include banning solicitation from sidewalks next to streets without parking lanes and by people while driving on a city street.

The ordinances also ban solicitation from private property without owner's approval; require that permits be obtained to run job centers on private property and ban soliciting in traffic lanes; medians or driveways on a public right of way.

"It's not just a thing that's a one-week deal," Dumitru said. "This is forever. Will the folks that solicit labor stay off the streets? Or will they test the limits is an interesting question."

On Wednesday morning, dozens of day laborers returned to some of the areas officials call "hotspots." Most were spotted at the 7-Eleven located at Katella Avenue and Glassell Street, but few were soliciting work near Chapman Avenue and Hewes Street, a popular hangout in the eastern part of the city.

The city-run Resource Center, however, has seen a slight increase of employers and day laborers seeking work, City Attorney David DeBerry said. The numbers of workers have increased from about 10 per day to about 20.

"The five-day mark is pretty good," said DeBerry. "It's working as anticipated…I think we're going to have to wait and see what the long term is."

Contact the writer: 714-704-3788 or epak@ocregister.com

http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-day ... ers-street

That is great news!! When I went to the Register site and read the comments, people are saying its about time It is a start and hopefully more cities In Orange County will follow suit!!!!

Very good news. Proud of Orange for attempting some kind of enforcement. Not an easy area to do it in.

Hurray for Orange..it's a start, just shows where there is a will there is a way!!!



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Originally Posted by SOSADFORUS

Hurray for Orange..it's a start, just shows where there is a will there is a way!!!

It just dumfounds me that some people, all invaders and many politicians and administrators find it so hard to enforce immigration laws. Think about that for a moment. These are laws that are already on the books, codified, legal, and completely enforceable. it is not complicated nor is it hard. All it takes is committment, some resources and a resolve to enforce already existing laws. Could someone please tell me what is so hard, confusing and complicated about doing that???

Originally Posted by zeezil

Originally Posted by SOSADFORUS

Hurray for Orange..it's a start, just shows where there is a will there is a way!!!

It just dumfounds me that some people, all invaders and many politicians and administrators find it so hard to enforce immigration laws. Think about that for a moment. These are laws that are already on the books, codified, legal, and completely enforceable. it is not complicated nor is it hard. All it takes is committment, some resources and a resolve to enforce already existing laws. Could someone please tell me what is so hard, confusing and complicated about doing that???

They all act like illegals civil rights over ride any laws on the books, regardless if the laws passed through congress, these are not state laws they are Federal...and they are not broken they have never been enforced. We just need politicians and Judges with the will to do it.

I live close to this area and know it well. It is an utter disgrace to see these vagabonds loiter around in front of businesses as if they own the place. They do this withour any concern of being questioned or arrested.

But why only citations? You have probable cause to give them citations for violating law, why not take it further and ask for identification. If they cannot produce it, then call ICE. It shouldn't be that difficult.

In addition, why not go after these people who stop and hire these illegals off the street. Anyone who solicites day laborers from the street should be arrested much the same way they would if they were trying to solicit a prostitute.

My guess is that zero of these invaders will show up to court or pay the fine when due.