Long Beach Cracks Down on Homeless Camps

Long Beach city crews are set to begin clearing five homeless encampments on Monday, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows local laws restricting sleeping or camping in public areas to be enforced. The targeted locations include Gumbiner Park, Billie Jean King Main Library, Lincoln Park, Veterans Park, and Jennie Rivera Memorial Park. Deputy City Manager Teresa Chandler emphasized that while the city will enforce anti-camping ordinances, citations alone will not address the broader issue of homelessness. The city’s approach will prioritize outreach and support services before resorting to fines or arrests. This strategy aims to address encampments that pose public safety threats or obstruct access to essential public spaces. Long Beach police will exercise discretion in enforcing these laws, focusing on criminal activities linked to encampments and responding to chronic complaints from the community. Mayor Rex Richardson reiterated that the intention behind these actions is not to criminalize homelessness but to utilize the new enforcement capacity to encourage individuals to access available services. The recent Supreme Court ruling, which overturned a previous legal precedent, allows for the enforcement of such ordinances without the requirement of providing adequate shelter options first, a change that has significant implications for local governance and homelessness policy. As the city moves forward with these sweeps, officials are hopeful that the combination of enforcement and supportive services will lead to improved conditions for both the homeless population and the broader community.