BILL
1 post
13-May-2008
2:03 PM
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I saw a post yesterday regarding a question about how people may deter the homeless from digging through trash and leaving messes. I realize that this problem is low on the priority list, but my question is along the same line. Are there laws regarding homeless loitering near businesses, panhandling, and leaving messes? I'm noticing this a lot more near my neighborhood (Olive Hills area). I've even had one person sitting in a parking lot give me a hard time for not giving him money. Is this happening more? What can be done?
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OfficerHansen
2 post s
14-May-2008
11:17 AM
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Bill, Good question. We get these questions a lot. In the City of El Cajon it is illegal for ANYONE to aggressively solicit anything. That includes begging for money or selling anything. If you read the El Cajon City municipal code: 9.75.030 Aggressive solicitation prohibited. This will explain the section in detail. You can read about it at the city website: www.ci.el-cajon.ca.us Businesses can also file trespassing letters with the police department to have these people arrested when there is no one present on the property to call the police. These letters are called 647(e) P.C. Trespassing Letters. A business owner can download one of these letters from the Police Department’s website at: www.elcajonpolice.org Bottom line, it is illegal and these people need to be reported to the police department. What are some things other people have done to combat this problem without using the police?
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BILL
2 post s
14-May-2008
5:20 PM
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Officer Hansen,
Thanks for your response. I'm not a business owner, but do frequent all of the business near Greenfield and Main...Exxon, 7-11, Marieta's, etc. Based on your response, I'm getting that the business owners need to file the letter you mentioned. I see the homeless camped in lots over night across from the old hospital, and there seems to be more and more in the 99Cent Store lot. This is where I was confronted. They sit on the benches asking people who exit businesses for money and park themselves near lot exits. I'm assuming they live behind the stores as I see many walking this way through the lot. While I'm sympathetic to people in hard times, it's a bit unnerving to be approached when walking to your car, etc. Quite honestly, I'm hoping this trend of homeless and the messes they leave behind doesn't start to find its way into the neighborhood where people live and are gone working all day. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.
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OfficerHansen
3 post s
14-May-2008
6:18 PM
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Bill, Thanks for you response. Congrats on being the first one to use the blog!
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BILL
3 post s
15-May-2008
11:09 AM
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The first, huh? Anyway, I hope to see more people on here in the future. I think it's a great idea.
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JTE
1 post
15-May-2008
2:31 PM
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I live near Mollison and Broadway and have noticed a sharp increase in the homeless population around 'my' 7/11 in the last year or two. Currently there are 4 or 5 regulars, and always a couple that come and go. They are known to 'live' in the alley behind 7/11 and Wendy's, as well as sleep in the car wash stalls at the self wash place at First and Broadway. I too am sympathetic to people in hard times, but when they are clearly drunk or on drugs it's a different story. I couldn't count all the times I've known they were on something. I think I will print off some of the forms and hand them out to the local business' I know they panhandle at. Perhaps having a solution in hand will promote action by the business owners. Thank you for this pubic forum for discussion of local issues.
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cheersbest1
1 post
15-May-2008
7:50 PM
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About a half hour ago when I was walking home from the bus stop at First and Main street, I have to cross in front of the car wash and the welfare building. Here is where I am verbally harrassed by a ridiculous number of homeless. Tonight in particular I got called fat***, B****, and several others as I continued to walk passed the Welfare office toward Washington. I've grown up in El Cajon my whole life and for the most part have seen the same homeless people the whole time, which was fine because I knew how most of them acted. Within the past year there has been a serious increase and they are increasingly rude, vulgar, and brazen. Its getting ridiculously out of control in my opinion....maybe its just me, but I don't feel comfortable walking in my own neighborhood because of it.
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CarolSR
1 post
16-May-2008
7:53 AM
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I live in a senior mobilehome park just off Main St. We had a problem with the homeless sleeping behind the Winersnitchel and leaving all kinds of trash. Thanks to the police for coming and having them leave. I was told that Weinersnitchel has a no loitering sign but I don't see it posted anywhere outside. Should it be posted outside?
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BILL
5 post s
16-May-2008
8:51 AM
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These are the types of experiences that bother me...so is the only solution to get business owners to file the letter discussed earlier? Again, I realize that the homeless problem is one that pales in comparison to other crimes committed in the city, but maybe if enough people share these situations the problem will be seen as more serious. I don't feel threatened physically, but it is bothersome knowing that some of these people may at some point harrass my wife or daughter when I'm not there. These occurrences appear to be a growing trend, and it worries me that soon residential areas will be affected as well. Thanks for the responses.
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CarolSR
3 post s
17-May-2008
12:09 PM
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Someone mentioned about the empty lot between Rally's and Poncho's on Main St. It is filled with trash that the homeless have dumped. Some may even be sleeping there. The owners of that property should be aware of the condition and have it cleaned up. Somehow they should be made aware of this problem. Does the city do that sort of thing? Thank you
Last Edited on 17-May-2008 12:11 PM
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JoyceD
1 post
18-May-2008
6:32 PM
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I live on Peach Street in El Cajon and at the corner of Peach and 2nd Street there is an empty office building where many homeless congregate. I too am sympathetic to their plight, but I don't feel comfortable walking in my neighborhood because of the growing homeless population. There is an empty house on my street and the homeless have taken over an outbuilding in the backyard. I have called the real estate company and they have nailed the doors shut, but this doesn't stop them! The owners have found crack pipes and drug paraphenalia in the outbuilding. Is there nothing the police can do about this?
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Officer Tindle
1 post
2-Jun-2008
8:46 AM
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Good morning and thanks for all the input ref: the transient/homeless problems. since the start of the year the squad im assigned to has been targeting those issues. all the business you mentioned do have letters on file and are working with us. i would hope by now you should see some improvement. we have targeted all the areas mentioned and are issuing citations for all the violatins we see. IE lodging, alcohol,shopping carts,trash digging. we have adjusted our hours on various days to catch the transients in their campsites and arrest them for illegal lodging. we are working hard on this problem, please let us know of other problems you see or different areas not mentioned
Last Edited on 4-Jun-2008 6:45 AM
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BILL
6 post s
2-Jun-2008
8:39 PM
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Officer Tindle,
Thanks for your response and efforts. I frequently see transients on the benches/tables outside businesses in the 99Cent Store on EMain. This is usually between 5:30 and 6:30 pm. I have another question...what about people who park in lots in RVs or trailers and stay (it seems like) all day before moving along? There is a person who drives an old RV with a trailer hooked to it that seems to be there quite often for long periods of time. I have also seen this person come into Marieta's wanting to change his one dollar bills for twenties. I'm not sure if the person stays over night...anyway, just an observation. I'm guessing unless business owners complain the person is able to stay as long as he wants. Again, thank you for everything you and your dept do for us; it's appreciated.
Bill
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Officer Tindle
2 post s
4-Jun-2008
6:44 AM
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Bill. thanks for your feedback and appreciation.
ref the transients sitting at the benches, unless the stores complain or we see a violation theres not much we can do.
parking lots are private property and under the control of the business but we try to discourage overnite stays when we can.
We will continue to try and stay on top of these issues. once again thanks for your appreciation.
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KJ9322
1 post
19-Jun-2008
9:22 AM
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I live on Peach between Second and Oro. My problem is that there is a motor home that parks on our street every night and they sleep there. I know this because my one neighbor that has an extension cord going out their front yard and the motor home plugs in. This seems dangerous as the cord goes across the sidewalk much less that these individuals have been around for about 2 - 3 years. The police come and ask them to leave and they leave for maybe a month - which means they are going somewhere else close and doing the same thing and then they come back. Help!! How can I assist the police in eliminating this problem.
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BILL
7 post s
19-Jun-2008
1:33 PM
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First off, can you get rid of the extension cord? If it was me, I'd call the police EVERY night that they're there. If they own a motorhome, they should go somewhere and pay for hookups like everyone else. So basically, they're STEALING from your neighbor. Is it a motorhome or trailer being pulled? I see a trailer across from the Ford dealer by the Alberston's parking lot occasionally, and then I'll see it up at Walmart's lot as well. This person seems to move from location to location for weeks at a time.
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CarolSR
8 post s
26-Jun-2008
10:31 PM
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The homeless like it when people toss mattresses away. There is one behind some bushes next to a building on South Second across from the weinerschichel. For a while they were trimming the bushes up. The homeless are starting to move back to the back parking lot of the Weinerschichel. Help! Please.
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OfficerHansen
14 post s
1-Jul-2008
8:51 AM
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Carol, I will pass this information along to our bike officers. If activity increases, please call us. Thanks for your concern.
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Officer Hansen
El Cajon Police Department
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Officer Tindle
5 post s
2-Jul-2008
7:13 AM
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Carol
I found the transient camp on 100 s second you mentioned earlier and contacted public works who picked up these items and disposed of them this morning.
thank you for bringing it to our attention.
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Officer Tindle
El Cajon Police Dept
Last Edited on 2-Jul-2008 7:17 AM
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CarolSR
9 post s
3-Jul-2008
7:21 AM
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Thank you.
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CarolSR
10 post s
4-Jul-2008
7:58 PM
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Officer Tindle I want you to know that someone is still camping out behind the bushes at 100 S. Second. The mattress is gone but someones bedding is there right now. Thank you for you help
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Officer Tindle
6 post s
8-Jul-2008
6:56 AM
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CarolSR
went by again this morning saw some bedding material and got rid of it will continue to check for the subject. thanks for letting me know.
Last Edited on 8-Jul-2008 6:56 AM
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