LAKE FOREST : Ban on Job Soliciting Before Council Again

After postponing a decision earlier this month, the City Council tonight will consider an ordinance that would make it illegal to solicit work or hire employees on city streets.

The ordinance would allow Orange County sheriff’s deputies to cite violators. In addition, the council will consider prohibiting parking in an area where dayworkers have gathered over the past year.

A city park, retail shops and houses are all within walking distance of the lot near Cherry Avenue and Jeronimo Road where the dayworkers have been congregating. Dozens of residents and shop owners have been pushing the council to take action.

Council members delayed a vote on the proposed ordinance two weeks ago. However, they may take a vote tonight after receiving a report on the dayworker situation from City Manager Gaylord Knapp.

“I’d like to go ahead with (restricting parking), and I’d like to see us move forward with the ordinance,” said Councilman Richard T. Dixon, who wanted to pass the ordinance two weeks ago.

Mayor Ann Van Haun said she is leaning in favor of the ordinance, but added that there are some legal complications.

“The report indicates that enforcing the law might be difficult because deputies would need to hear what (dayworkers and potential employers) are saying,” said Van Haun. “It’s not that we’re afraid to do something, but it’s a complex issue that could involve lawsuits.”

If the ordinance is approved, Lake Forest would join Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Costa Mesa and Orange in placing restrictions on the hiring of day laborers on city streets.

Lake Forest residents have complained of public urination, verbal harassment of women and petty crimes allegedly committed by the dayworkers. Knapp reported that minor offenses are occurring, but the area has not seen a rise in major crimes.

Both Van Haun and Dixon said they felt sympathy for the dayworkers.

“On the human side, not everybody is intimidating residents and defacing property,” Van Haun said. “These are mostly people who are just trying to earn a living. But my sympathy stops when they start doing things that are illegal.”

Dixon said he isn’t in favor of starting a phone bank or work center for dayworkers. But he would like to see deputies pass out pamphlets pointing out “what kind of jobs are out there and where they can go to get them.

“In lieu of throwing people in jail or citing them, let’s give them some alternatives,” he said.