If you drive around you will most likely see any number of homeless. In the past six months, there have been more than usual.
Ever wonder if they have the right to beg for money?
A few months ago, before he retired, former City Manager Tim Casey, said the city of Laguna Niguel does not have a local ordinance or policy related to panhandling.
State law prohibits aggressive panhandling (i.e. accosting persons in any public place for the purpose of begging), he said.
In addition, he noted, state law also prohibits persons from obstructing the movement of other persons on streets or sidewalks.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department enforces these state laws in Laguna Niguel when necessary and applicable.
The courts have found begging and panhandling to be forms of protected speech that cannot be summarily prohibited in public places (i.e. public sidewalks, shopping center entrances/exits and common areas), Casey said.
"The city does get occasional inquiries from residents about begging/panhandling, as well as door-to-door solicitation," he said. "As a result, the FY 11-12 City Budget included a Work Program item in the City Attorney’s Office to: 'Review law and advise City Council on alternatives to regulate door-to-door peddling, charitable solicitation and begging/panhandling in the city.'"
The city attorney is in the process of completing this legal review, Casey said.
Coast hills Church in Aliso Veijo there is a Food Pantry. 362-0079 St Timothy s Church on crown Valley PKWY Laguna Niguel open Wednesday . The Vineyard church off La Paz in L.N. by the old city consul building food clothing available personal hygiene items. Meals on wheels brings 3 hot meals for elderly. Donations are needed everywhere . I know of a family who buys food gift cards and hands the homeless person the gift of food with list of contact info for food and assistance in our area, a encouraging note or drawing from a child instead of money . Thank you again for opening this topic up on PATCH. Have a Blessed day Debbie.
Why are you so upset that I asked if anyone had seen iphones & cars? I see these (alleged) homeless every day and have never seen either - not to say it doesn't exist, but I will keep my eyes open. Maybe Debbie can interview some of them and take a poll as to how many have iphones and cars and how many are really homeless vs. how many are frauds.
Do you expect these people to tell you the truth, just you off the street asking questions? Good luck! Me upset, yes, when you questioned what I said I saw & what others here are writing they have seen. Not very intelligent to ask what people have actually seen!!!
I heard a saying many years ago: Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.
They did not post two comments I made responding to Shirley. I will try again. Hoping it's not censorship, especially since I said nothing against the terms of service. I basically answered Shirley's telling me it was not intelligent to question that people writing here said they saw the "homeless" with iphones and cars with, it would not be intelligent of me to just take strangers at their word either. Why wouldn't that be posted?
Don't be ridiculous. Who is attacking Christians? Hate crime? Ha, ha! So, so, so many people, claiming to be Christian, are the ones who are completely intolerant of others. I hear the hypocrisy all the time (check out the LGBT comments on another Patch thread whose comments have reached over 700). Not whining, just wondering if there is some censorship going on here.