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REPORT TO PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION
To: Honorable Chairman and Members of The Public Safety Advisory
Commission
From: Nicole Dailey, Senior Management Analyst
Date: July 19, 2017
Subject: Discuss and Review Existing Municipal Codes Related to Aggressive
Solicitation
Recommendation
Discuss and recommend proposed amendments to Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Chapter 8.13
Regulation of Solicitation and Chapter 10.72 Vehicle Solicitation as related to the prohibition of
aggressive solicitation.
Background
Homelessness has become a major concern in our City, the region, and the state. Experts are
estimating an increase of homelessness in our region over the next decade. The 2016 Riverside
County Point-In-Time Homeless Count Survey in January 2017 showed there were 62
homeless individuals residing in the City of Lake Elsinore and a total 1,638 homeless individuals
in the County of Riverside overall. However, the City estimates this number to be higher.
The City, like many jurisdictions throughout the state, has had to find ways to address an
increase in homeless activity that has subsequently led to an increase in citizen complaints and
calls for service for code enforcement and law enforcement. These calls for service include
complaints regarding public feedings, panhandling/solicitation, thefts, assaults, trespassing and
debris located at homeless encampments.
Since early 2014, the City and the Lake Elsinore Police Department has taken a proactive
approach in dealing with homeless activity and the effect it has on the overall quality of life for
our residents and businesses.
Key areas of success include addressing public feedings in City Park and partnering with
property owners to quickly and effectively break up and clean up homeless encampments.
Because of recent efforts, the City has seen an increase in the number of homeless individuals
out and about in the community.
In May 2017, the City Council authorized the creation of a Homeless Task Force of staff and
community stakeholders eager to join the City in its efforts to reduce homelessness. This
includes conducting a formal analysis of the existing resources and needs within the city,
Solicitation Municipal Codes
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developing new programs, and identifying long-term solutions to address homelessness. This
task force currently meets every other week and has made progress towards developing ways
to try to reduce homelessness and help those in need.
Discussion
In recent months, the City has received more complaints regarding homeless individuals
soliciting, loitering and lingering in public and private locations throughout the City. It is apparent
there has been a more regular presence of transient individuals in our shopping centers, parking
lots, public parks, and street medians and parkways. Many of whom, are soliciting people for
food, money or other items. Additionally, these solicitations are occasionally aggressive in
nature and can become a nuisance to residents, visitors and business owners in the City.
These types of activities directly impact the overall quality of life and economic viability of the
City. Ultimately, affecting our ability to protect public health, safety and the general welfare of
people of the City of Lake Elsinore.
The City currently has two existing municipal codes related to these types of concerns: Chapter
8.13 Regulation of Solicitation and Chapter 10.72 Vehicle Solicitation of the LEMC. These
municipal codes were originally created and implemented in 2008 and 1994, respectively
(Exhibit A and B).
Regionally, many other cities have had to establish similar municipal codes within the last year
to address these concerns including the cities of Menifee and Temecula.
Staff would like to ask the Commission to review the existing municipal codes and those of other
municipalities to make suggestions for changes and improvements to ensure our existing
municipal codes are up-to-date and effective. This could include, for example, combining the
cities two municipal codes into one, expanding regulations about loitering, and/or addressing the
enforcement of these municipal codes.
Attached are copies of the existing municipal codes as well as several other related examples
from other cities including Menifee, Temecula, Anaheim, and Riverside.
Upon recommendations by the Commission, staff would anticipate bringing a proposed
ordinance back to the Commission to amend the existing municipal codes.
Fiscal Impact
None
Exhibits
A – LEMC Chapter 8.13 Regulation of Solicitation
B – LEMC Chapter 10.72 Vehicle Solicitation
C – Solicitation Municipal Codes for Other Cities