FRESNO COUNTY – Fresno County’s “Unlawful Camping and Obstruction of Public Rights Of Way” ordinance – commonly referred to as the “illegal camping ordinance” – went into effect Sept. 20, 2024. But, according to county officials, the rollout is more of a whimper than a bang.
Deputy County Administrative Officer Amina Flores-Becker told ABC 30, “For the county of Fresno, there’s not going to be any change. This is not our process; we haven’t established a process that will be reflective in the policy. This is simply a tool in the toolbox.”
Supervisor Steve Brandau, who introduced the ordinance, used the tool and toolbox metaphor often in press conferences leading up to the Fresno Board of Supervisors (Board) approval on Aug. 20, 2024. Brandau invoked the comparison at his July 25 press conference, where he introduced the ordinance to the public. Fresno County Sheriff (FSO) John Zanoni also rolled out the metaphor, describing the ordinance as just another tool in the county’s toolbox to deal with homelessness.
Brandau told ABC 30 that FSO will enforce the ordinance in extreme cases.
“It’s for those rare cases where somebody is really impacting somebody (else’s) life. They’re beginning an encampment; they’re staying in an encampment. Maybe it’s hindering somebody’s business. Maybe it’s hindering somebody at the park, and they don’t feel comfortable at the park because there’s an encampment,” he said.
At Brandau’s July 25 presser, Zanoni pressed the idea that the ordinance is more of a last resort than standard operating procedure.
“This is about compassion,” he said. He added that when his deputies are asked to respond to a call involving a homeless encampment, they press – at times beg – the individuals involved to avail themselves of the numerous county resources that are available. Brandau mentioned the county has roughly $10 million in services to help the homeless.
ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES FOR VIOLATION
The ordinance prevents anyone from “sitting, lying or sleeping, or using or storing personal property in, or upon any public road or other public right of way.”
Under Section 10.70.070 of the ordinance, a violation of the law constitutes a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to six months in jail and/or fines up to $500 per violation. As an alternative to jail, the ordinance permits the County to recommend to the judge that offenders enroll in a rehabilitation or treatment program.
Flores-Becker said the ordinance is still a work-in-progress.
She told ABC 30, “We are also working on a policy because our ordinance is very broad.” She mentioned the county is currently working on an encampment resolution that it will present to the board in October.
