Anti-Camping Law Takes Effect Feb. 1
Camping on public land or storing personal property there will be illegal in the city under a law going into effect Feb. 1.
The measure, which received final approval from the City Council this week, is modeled after a Santa Ana law that was upheld recently by the California Supreme Court.
Advocates for the homeless had contended that Santa Ana’s camping ban was unconstitutional.
Buena Park Police Chief Richard M. Tefank said Thursday that the city does not have a “major problem” with people camping on public property, but is “taking a proactive approach. Now we have an ordinance in the event that we start to have problems in the community.”
Violation of the law is a misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
Tefank emphasized that youth groups and others still will be allowed to camp overnight in city parks, as long as they get a city permit in advance.
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