BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY VOTE TO ADVANCE ANDERSON’S UNSAFE CAMPING ORDINANCE

SAN DIEGO (October 24, 2023) — At the Tuesday Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Joel Anderson, who represents the East County communities of District 2, introduced board action aimed at reducing fire risk in the unincorporated area. The measure was unanimously approved by the Board.

The board letter directed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to create an unsafe camping ordinance to ensure that public property, such as parks and riverbeds, are cleared from fire and pollution threats.

“I am thankful that my colleagues voted for my measure today. I have long said that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution when it comes to addressing homelessness and today’s action will help ensure that we do not have another disastrous fire, like the Cedar Fire, due to unsafe camping in our public parks and riverbeds in the unincorporated areas of the County,” shared Supervisor Joel Anderson.

As this ordinance would affect people experiencing homelessness who are at-risk of starting accidental fires in the unincorporated areas, the recommendation also asked the CAO to develop a list of safe shelter sites to move people out of unsafe camping situations and connect them with resources towards permanent housing.

The County further joined the City of San Diego and dozens of other local governments throughout California in urging Supreme Court review of the landmark case Martin v. Boise, which limits local government’s ability to enforce laws against encampments.