GARDEN GROVE : City Won’t Consider ‘No Camping’ Law

Fearing lawsuits from advocates of the homeless, city officials scrapped plans this week for an ordinance prohibiting camping in parks and public places.

Instead, city officials asked the city manager to explore other options that might accomplish the same goals.

Mayor W.E. (Walt) Donovan, who had called for the anti-camping measure several months ago, said he has received “quite a few complaints” from residents living near parks where homeless people congregate, as well as from merchants at shopping centers who are upset that their customers are being asked for money by homeless people.

Garden Grove’s camping ordinance was patterned after neighboring Santa Ana’s “no camping” law, which is facing a challenge from the Legal Aid Society of Orange County and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Garden Grove officials fear that the Santa Ana ordinance, which made camping illegal in that city’s Civic Center beginning Thursday, may result in more homeless people relocating to their city.

Donovan said city parks are now off limits after 10 p.m. Those same hours may be put into effect at the Garden Grove Civic Center, where some overnight camping has occurred.

Meanwhile, in a related matter, officials also expressed anger over a decision by the state Supreme Court to let stand a lower court opinion barring Santa Ana from imposing residential occupancy limits. The case, which was closely watched by neighboring cities such as Garden Grove, was a challenge to Santa Ana’s effort to combat the problems of overcrowded housing.

City Manager George Tindall said that overcrowding in homes and apartments strains city streets, sewers and storm drains, and puts an unfair burden on taxpayers.

Garden Grove officials said they will contact state legislators in an effort to have the state change residential occupancy limits.