La Mirada : Ordinance Bans Day Labor Solicitations on Sidewalks

The La Mirada City Council has banned people from using public streets, sidewalks and medians to solicit work.

The council recently passed an emergency ordinance after hearing complaints that day laborers and their prospective employers were blocking streets and entrances to shopping areas at La Mirada Boulevard and Imperial Highway. Violators may be cited and fined up to $1,000 and jailed for six months.

Officials said that for nearly a year, between 25 and 75 people a day gathered at the shopping centers seeking work. Merchants and shoppers complained that access to the centers was blocked both by the workers and people stopping to hire them. Some workers also ran across the busy streets, creating a safety hazard.

Ironically, the problem was largely solved before the ordinance took effect. Officials said that a raid early in April by the Immigration and Naturalization Service netted 47 undocumented workers at the shopping centers, and few people have used the area to solicit jobs since.

The ordinance has been posted in the vicinity and flyers in English and Spanish were distributed. So far, one person has been cited.

The council also approved a companion measure that will prohibit urinating and defecating in public places. The measure, which takes effect at the end of the month, is aimed at curtailing gatherings of both day laborers and gang members, officials said.