STANTON : Day-Laborer Plan Works, Officials Say

Officials in Stanton say a crackdown on trespassing, loitering and illegal parking is helping to reduce the number of day laborers congregating on private property.

Since the program began last summer, the code enforcement officer assigned to this detail has issued about 20 traffic citations to drivers who cruised or stopped in no-parking zones along public streets where day laborers were known to congregate, said Bonnie Kirk, Stanton’s community development manager.

“The business community has been able to see a positive impact on the traffic problems associated with day laborers,” Kirk said.

The Community Development Department’s crackdown was a response to months of complaints from residents and business owners about day laborers gathering along Cerritos Avenue, Dale Street and Beach Boulevard to look for work.

Community Development employees also have been asking business owners to post “parking for customers only” signs, to give code enforcement officers the authority to issue parking citations to those who stop on private property to offer jobs. The city also has been recommending that merchants put up “no trespassing” signs and call the Sheriff’s Department when they spot violators.

The City Council rejected a proposal to set aside a city-owned building or park as a legal hiring area for day laborers and employers.

City Manager Terry Matz said a regional approach may be needed eventually. To that end, the city has initiated a series of meetings with representatives from county agencies and cities now grappling with the issue of day laborers. The first meeting was held recently in Stanton and included representatives from Costa Mesa, Orange, Placentia and Brea as well as members of the Orange County Human Relations Committee and the Job Training Partnership Act.

“It was a very productive session,” Matz said. Another meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17.