Carmel-by-the-Sea Looking to Update Anti-Camping Regulations
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CA. - City council in Carmel-by-the-Sea is set to vote on an ordinance that would update their anti-camping regulations. Right now it bans people from sleeping and camping in public parks, streets, and sidewalks
The city is looking to give a more detailed definition of the act of human habitation. This would keep unhoused people from staying in public spaces. The police department would still clean up any leftover mess, but will hold personal property for up to 90 days.
Commander Todd Trayer with the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department said he hopes this process is seen as more humane.
“This really ensures that we memorialize that when we do hold the items for 90 days, that we're doing it with dignity,” Trayer said. “We're keeping them within a process to protect the property for the people that are having their items held.”
Commander Trayer said that there are not many unhoused people in Carmel-by-the-Sea, but there are definitely a few.
“There are some people that are going through some tough times,” Trayer said.”And they do often pass through Carmel. So we do see it at certain times.”
Kevin Cesario lives in Carmel. He is for the ordinance.
“I definitely have seen an uptick of panhandling over the last several years,” Cesario said. “I do think it's a bit of a problem, not necessarily the largest pressing concern that our community has, but it certainly is an issue.”
Cesario said the city relies heavily on business from tourists. He believes it’s essential to make sure the area is clean. in order to keep the local economy flowing.
“I do believe it's important to clean up all those areas,” Cesario said. “Especially if there's defecation outside of bathrooms and natural hazard waste. But in terms of their personal items and personal property, if storing it for 90 days adds a level of fairness to it, I don't think it's necessarily going to hurt everybody, as long as it's in the budget.”
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department also said they can provide resources such as shelter information to anyone they find unhoused in the city and if you see anything that is toxic or should not be on the sidewalks to please call the police department.
