Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12a - 90-Day Camping Enforcement Efforts Report DATE: February 15, 2022 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Roy Nakamura, Chief of Police By: Kristin Blair, Crime Analyst Dr. Jennifer Brutus, Senior Management Analyst SUBJECT: 90-DAY REPORT ON CAMPING ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS Recommendation: Provide Direction SUMMARY At the September 21, 2021, Regular City Council Meeting, Ordinance No. 2381 was introduced to amend Section 7915 of Chapter 9 of Article VII of the City of Arcadia Municipal Code (“AMC”) relating to camping and storage of personal property on public property. At this meeting, there was report and discussion on the City’s Homeless Programs and Services, and the City Council directed staff to implement the Camping Ordinance and report back on enforcement efforts after 90 days. BACKGROUND Ordinance No. 2381, which was later adopted on October 5, 2021, provided two amendments to the City’s Camping regulations. The changes updated the camping prohibition hours from starting at 10:00 p.m. to instead start at 8:00 p.m. and added clarifying language to prohibit camping on all real property or lots associated with prohibited camping areas, not just the buildings noted. On July 6, 2021, the City also adopted Resolution No. 7376 to establish No Camping signage (see Attachment “A”) in certain areas of the City as described in Chapter 9 of Article VII Section 7915(c) of the AMC, which is now coded as AMC Section 7875(c). The No Camping signs have been posted in approximately 110 locations, which are generally high visibility locations at the edges of the areas shaded in orange in the City’s Camping Enforcement Area Map (see Attachment “B”). Arcadia Police Officers handle calls for service (“CFS”) every week that deal with homeless subjects loitering or sleeping to the front of a business or private property, unlawful camping, disturbances associated with drinking in public, noise complaints, assaults, thefts, and, at times, suicidal subjects. Every day the Arcadia Police Department 90-Day Report on Camping Enforcement Efforts February 15, 2022 Page 2 of 7 (the “Department”) works to both maintain and improve the quality of life for residents and business owners in Arcadia. DISCUSSION Since implementation of the Camping Ordinance in October 2021, the Department has been tracking the calls for service related to camping enforcement. The Department already tracks and reports monthly on calls for service involving individuals experiencing homelessness; however, this report focuses specifically on enforcement of AMC 7872 – Unlawful Camping. During a time where the City’s homeless population has risen, the City’s Camping Ordinance is serving as a tool to deter unlawful camping. When Officers enforce the Camping Ordinance, they advise the homeless person of their specific AMC violation and offer services, per the Ordinance. Keeping in that being homeless in itself is not a crime, Officers make contact with two goals in mind: warn and educate. Although, Ordinance No. 2374 provides additional enforcement mechanisms such as charging violations as a misdemeanor arrest and/or subjecting violators to a criminal citation, it is the City’s intent to use educational and encouragement efforts prior to utilizing these stronger alternatives. When needed, these additional enforcement mechanisms will be used to address situations where people are intentionally defying the rules established in the Ordinance. Calls for Service For the 90-day reporting period of October 18, 2021, through January 16, 2022, the Department responded to 1,054 calls for service citywide involving individuals experiencing homelessness. For the purposes of this report, the Department examined encampment related calls for a specific geographical area covering Reporting District 11 (north of Huntington Drive, south of the I-210, east of Santa Anita Avenue, and west of 5th Avenue), Reporting District 14 (north of Duarte Road, south of Huntington Drive, east of Santa Anita Avenue, and west of 5th Avenue), as well as the County Wash areas located at the intersections of 2nd Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, and First Avenue and Foothill Boulevard. This focus area includes Downtown Arcadia, the Transit Plaza, and locations where unlawful camping occurs most regularly in the community and would benefit the most from targeted enforcement efforts. Of the 1,054 citywide homeless-related calls for service, 440 calls (42%) occurred in the focus area and 74 (or 7%) were specifically regarding encampment enforcement. Of those, the number of times an Officer advised a subject of AMC 7872 – Unlawful Camping in the focus areas was 42 (57%). The number of calls happening in this area is depicted below in Figure 1. 90-Day Report on Camping Enforcement Efforts February 15, 2022 Page 3 of 7 Figure 1 – Homeless and Unlawful Camping Calls for Service in Reporting Districts 11 & 14 and County Wash Areas for 90 Days: 10/18/2021 – 1/16/2022 ALL HOMELESS CALLS UNLAWFUL CAMPING CALLS The calls for service data (Figure 2) show that homeless-related calls and those calls specifically related to unlawful camping (AMC 7872) have been decreasing for the past 90 days since enforcement began. After the first 30 days of camping enforcement, homeless-related calls citywide equaled 416 and dropped to 293 in the third month. Similarly, in the focus area, homeless-related calls decreased every 30 days from 196 to 111, respectively. In some cases, calls for service involving individuals experiencing homelessness entail unlawful camping. Citywide, the calls requiring camping enforcement decreased over the 90-day period from 43 to 11, and from 29 to three in the focus area specifically. 440 Calls for Service involving individuals experiencing homelessness 42 Calls for Service involving unlawful camping; advised of AMC 7872 90-Day Report on Camping Enforcement Efforts February 15, 2022 Page 4 of 7 In comparison to last year, the citywide homeless-related calls for service are 58% higher than they were in the same 90-day reporting period, 667 compared to 1,054. However, when comparing the current 90-day data to the prior 90 days (7/19/2021 – 10/17/2021), the calls have decreased from 1,404 to 1,054 (25%), as shown in Figure 3. During the 90-day reporting period, Officers made contact with 125 identified subjects citywide (for all homeless-related calls). Many of these individuals were contacted repeatedly, anywhere from two to 12 times. In the 90-day reporting period, the 125 identified subjects produced 231 homeless-related calls for service citywide (136 were in the focus area as shown in Figure 4). In just the focus area, there were 71 identified subjects, with 30 involved in repeat contacts. The other homeless-related citywide calls 416 196 43 29 345 133 20 11 293 111 11 3 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 1,054 Citywide 440 Focus Area (42%)74 Citywide (7%)42 Focus Area (57%) All Homeless Calls Homeless AMC 7872 Calls Figure 2 -All Homeless vs. Homeless AMC 7872 Calls Citywide vs. Focus Area 90-Days: 10/18/21 -1/16/22 First 30 Days: 10/18 - 11/17 Second 30 Days: 11/18 - 12/17 Third 30 Days: 12/18-1/16 667 1,404 1,054 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 Same 90 Days, Previous Year 10/18/20 - 1/16/21 90 Days Prior 7/19/21 - 10/17/21 Current 90 Days 10/18/21 - 1/16/22 Figure 3 -Historical Comparison of Citywide Homeless-Related Calls 90-Day Increments 90-Day Report on Camping Enforcement Efforts February 15, 2022 Page 5 of 7 for service (823 of 1,054) involved unidentified subjects. It is important to note that not all subjects provide personal identifying information when contacted, thus, the number of identified subjects would be higher if more homeless people shared information. Enforcement Statistics For the 90-day reporting period, there were no arrests or citations related to enforcing AMC 7872 – Unlawful Camping. Although Officers responded to 74 homeless calls Citywide that were related to AMC 7872, including 42 in the focus area, most of the calls resulted in other final call types. Final call types are coded according to the end result, which is based on the Officer’s findings. For example, an Officer may respond to a call for illegal camping, but after contacting the subject find that the person has an outstanding warrant. This call would get coded as a Warrant. Officers found that when they warned persons that they were violating AMC 7872 for unlawfully camping, the subjects tended to pack up and move along, so no citation was required. Figure 5 shows the top 10 final call types for homeless calls Citywide and in the focus area. FIGURE 5 - HOMELESS-RELATED FINAL CALL TYPES* 90-DAYS: 10/18/21 - 1/16/22 Citywide Homeless Calls Focus Area Homeless Calls Homeless Encounter 742 Homeless Encounter 333 Extra Patrol 72 Arcadia Muni Code Violation 35 Arcadia Muni Code Violation 48 Fight 6 Flagged Down 17 Warrant 5 Warrant 14 Flagged Down 5 Area Check 13 Area Check 5 Fight 12 Trespassing 4 Trespassing 10 Public Works 4 Theft 7 Extra Patrol 3 Medical 6 Robbery 2 * Top 10 final call types are the most common types of calls and are not equal to total calls for service. 136 71 30 0 50 100 150 Calls for Services Identified Homeless Individuals Persons with Repeat Contacts Figure 4 -Call Statistics for Identified Subjects in RD 11 & 14 and County Wash Areas 90-Days: 10/18/21 -1/16/22 Calls for Services Identified Homeless Individuals Persons with Repeat Contacts 90-Day Report on Camping Enforcement Efforts February 15, 2022 Page 6 of 7 Most homeless-related calls are regarding a Homeless Encounter, which means a caller reported a homeless person in the area. In these instances, the Officer makes contact and provides resources, if applicable; however, no crime was committed. Citywide, the second most common call type involving a homeless person was a request for extra patrol. In the focus area, Arcadia Municipal Code violations were the second most common, which includes, but is not limited to, illegal encampments. The total homeless-related calls for service Citywide (1,054) resulted in 61 cases being forwarded to the Detective Bureau for investigation, including 31 arrests. Of these cases, 33 occurred in the focus area, which involved 13 arrests. In comparison to the total homeless- related calls for service in the focus area (440), the amount that resulted in further investigation is equal to approximately 8%. Figure 6 below shows the type of cases that Officers enforced upon in the focus area in the 90-day reporting period. FIGURE 6 – HOMELESS-RELATED CALLS ENFORCEMENT IN FOCUS AREA 90-DAYS: 10/18/21 - 1/16/22 Case Type Cases Arrests Encampment 12 Outstanding Warrant 3 3 72-Hour Clean-up Notice 2 Drinking in Public 2 2 Possible Mail Theft 2 Robbery (pending investigation) 2 1 Mental Health Hold 1 Bench Warrant & Parole Violation 1 1 Fire Assist 1 Kidnapping, Battery, & Bringing a Controlled Substance into Jail 1 1 Littering 1 1 Medical Assist 1 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 1 1 Possession of Metal Knuckles and a Controlled Substance, Prohibited Person in Possession of Ammunition, and 2 Misdemeanor Warrants 1 1 Trespassing & Battery on a Peace Officer 1 1 Trespassing 1 1 TOTAL 33 13 Overall, the Camping Ordinance is having a positive impact on deterring unlawful camping, especially within the focus area. Coupled with the Department’s enforcement efforts and the City’s new unlawful camping signage, homeless-related calls for services, including calls related to unlawful camping, are decreasing. In addition, the Department’s Homeless Engagement and Liaison Program (“HELP”) Team will continue to educate and attempt to gain trust with individuals experiencing homelessness, which Officers recognize has a direct influence on the homeless’ willingness to accept outreach services and immediate resources. The HELP team will also make enforcement actions when appropriate. 90-Day Report on Camping Enforcement Efforts February 15, 2022 Page 7 of 7 It is recommended that the City continue to track camping enforcement efforts and report back to the City Council in another 90 days with a subsequent progress report. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. Thus, this matter is exempt under CEQA under Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. FISCAL IMPACT There are costs associated with tracking camping enforcement efforts. Although there is no fiscal impact on the General Fund, there are undetermined costs associated with the staff time involved in tracking and analyzing the calls for service data. Currently, staff does track the number of calls for service related to homelessness and camping issues, and they range widely. These costs are absorbed within existing operations and budgets. It is anticipated that with ongoing enforcement efforts, the number of contacts with individuals experiencing homelessness will decrease, resulting in fewer interactions with Officers and less incidents to track and analyze. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project and is therefore, exempt under, the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and direct the City Manager to continue to track camping enforcement efforts and report back to the City Council in 90 days with another progress report. Attachments: “A” – No Camping City Signage “B” – Camping Enforcement Map No Camping N/A 10/20/21 Kevin DevinArcadia Arcadia Municipal Code §7872 Subject to Enforcement and Penalty Report a Violation: (626) 574-5151 For more information on Homeless Resources call 2-1-1 Or Visit ArcadiaCA.gov/homeless Arcadia Municipal Code §7872 Subject to Enforcement and Penalty Report a Violation: (626) 574-5151 For more information on Homeless Resources call 2-1-1 Or Visit ArcadiaCA.gov/homeless NO CAMPING NO FIRES NO CAMPING Park Playgrounds Picnic Areas Tables & Benches Pavilions Artificial Turf Areas NO FIRES Attachment "A" !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !(!( !( !( !( !( !( !( !(!( !(!(!(!( !(!(!( !( !(!( !( !(!( !(!(!( !( !( !(!( !( !( !(!( !(!( !( !( !( !(!( !(!(!(!( !( !( !( !( !(!( !(!(!( !( !(!( !( !( !( !(!( !( !( !(!( !( !( !(!( !(!( !(!( !(!( !( !( !( !(!( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !(!( !(S 2nd AveS Baldwin AveW Duarte Rd S Santa Anita AveW H u ntington D r W Foothill Blvd N Santa Anita AveEl Monte AveLas Tunas Dr N 2nd AveE Longden Ave E L i ve Oa k Ave S Mayflower AveE Huntington Dr W Longden Ave E Duart e RdN Baldwin AveW Live Oak Ave Peck RdArcadia City Boundary Sphere of Influence Parcels Anti Camping Enforcement Areas!( Streets Anti CampingEnforcement Areas City of Arcadia, California Ü 00.51Miles Data Sources: City of Arcadia, County of Los Angeles Date Created: January 10, 2021 Attachment "B"