Southern California beach city bans camping in all public areas

A beachfront city in Los Angeles County voted to adopt an anti-camping policy for all public areas Tuesday night.

Hermosa Beach Mayor Dean Francois cited last year’s Supreme Court decision on regulating public homeless encampments as a key to the city’s ability to enforce its new prohibition by providing officials with more tools and flexibility.

“The resulting final ordinance not only prohibits camping in all public places but also has more enforcement options to ensure Hermosa Beach remains a safe and sanitary environment for all,” Francois said.

Camping was previously only prohibited on the beach, Strand and parks, according to the city’s news release announcing the new policy.

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The new ordinance will work in tandem with the city’s already existing “care first” program aimed at “helping people experiencing homelessness to seek shelter, rather than sleeping on the beach, sidewalks and other public places,” the city stated.

Any citations will also be subject to dismissal by the city manager upon completion of a diversion program and there will be a maximum number of citations that can be issued in a seven-day period, the news release stated.

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