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property. Property owners have a right to expect that their land will be respected and protected <br />from illegal encroachments, and we must support them in ensuring that their rights are upheld. <br />Therefore, I urge the City Council to amend the proposed ordinance to include explicit <br />provisions for enforcing trespassing by homeless individuals on private property. The police <br />should be empowered to take immediate action to remove individuals who are unlawfully <br />occupying private land, without the need for advance notice or additional hurdles. This <br />enforcement should mirror the swift actions taken when responding to public encampments, <br />ensuring that private property owners are afforded the same level of protection. <br />Incorporating provisions for trespassing on private property would allow the Police Department <br />to respond quickly to complaints or reports of illegal encampments, ensuring that property <br />owners do not bear the burden of having to repeatedly address these issues themselves. It will <br />also streamline the process by allowing immediate enforcement, without delay, when property <br />owners have filed complaints or documented unauthorized occupancy. <br />Recommended Strengthening Provisions <br />If we are to maximize the effectiveness of the proposed ordinance and address the growing <br />concerns of residents, business owners, and visitors, I recommend even stronger enforcement <br />provisions. For example: <br />1. Mandatory Cumulative Penalties: Instead of discretionary penalties for repeat offenses, <br />establish mandatory cumulative penalties to deter repeated violations. Each successive <br />violation within a certain period (e.g., 12 months) could incur higher fines or mandatory <br />service hours in community beautification efforts. <br />2. Escalation to Criminal Offense for Persistent Violators: To address the issue of repeated <br />violations, the ordinance should explicitly authorize the removal and possible arrest of <br />individuals who continue to camp in the same or nearby location after receiving an initial <br />citation. An escalating structure of penalties for subsequent violations should also be <br />implemented, culminating in immediate removal for persistent violators. This would <br />create a strong deterrent against recurring offenses and underscore the City's <br />commitment to enforcing this policy. <br />3. Immediate Property Impoundment: To maintain the integrity of our public spaces, the <br />ordinance could specify that any property stored unlawfully in public areas can be <br />impounded immediately. Property impoundment procedures should also ensure that <br />repeat violators cannot retrieve impounded items without payment of fines, to <br />discourage repeated encampment. <br />2 1 P a g e <br />