In Santa Cruz those whose only housing is their home are illegal after 11 PM at night if they fall asleep in their cars (but they are allowed to cover up with bedding–unlike those outside on public property during those hours–go figure!).
Mayor “Bikesnatcher” Bryant recently appointed a bigots-delight Task Force to justify more harassment against homeless people under the “public safety” label. (She’s also declined to stop the SCPD from freezing the long-time abandoned bike give away to non-profits through the Santa Cruz Bike Church with bikes instead being rerouted to The Bike Dojo, a for-profit business run by someone with biz ties with her husband. Hence the “Bikesnatcher” moniker).
From: t.ciampi@hotmail.com
To: assemblymember.gordon@
CC: assemblymember.ammiano@
Subject: Palo Alto’s Vehicle Ordinance
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:29:30 -0600
Richard Gordon, State Assemblyman:
District Office:
5050 El Camino Real, Suite 117
Los Altos, CA 94022
Tel: (650) 691-2121
Dear Asm. Gordon,
I along with several other residents of Palo Alto have been in contact with Assemblyman Tom Ammiano’s staff requesting that Assemblyman Ammiano oppose a Vehicle Habitation Ordinance that the City of Palo Alto intends to enact within the next month or two. Though this ordinance is directly related to the necessity of Asm. Ammiano’s Homeless Bill of Rights it would be a violation of legislative ethics if Asm. Ammiano were to publicly weigh in on an ordinance that is within another assemblyman’s jurisdiction.
I consider Palo Alto’s Vehicle Habitation Ordinance a direct violation of the California and U.S. Constitutional rights of poor people who are doing the best they can given their economic circumstances. Palo Alto’s ordinance will do nothing more than take homeless people’s property, vehicles, away from them solely because they are homeless.
This proposed ordinance will cause more financial hardship for not only the homeless but California tax payers as well by reducing the ability of the homeless to function and earn money. The net result is a lower quality of life for homeless people and home owners alike.
Palo Alto City Attorney Molly Stump verifies the illegitimacy of the proposed ordinance by refusing to clarify the language and meaning of the ordinance.
I along with many others would appreciate it if you would protect the Constitutional rights of homeless people to own property, vehicles, by issuing a press release opposing Palo Alto’s proposed ordinance. Additionally, if you would attend a Palo Alto City Council Meeting and speak out against the ordinance it would go a long way to halting this oppressive decree.
Lastly, I respectfully request that you give permission to Assemblyman Tom Ammiano to publicly address Palo Alto’s proposed ordinance through a press release and or personal attendance at a Palo Alto City Council Meeting.
Thank you for your time.
Tony Ciampi
P.O. Box 1681
Palo Alto, CA 94302
City Hall
city.council@cityofpaloalto.
General City Information
(650) 329-2100
Molly Stump, City Attorney for Palo Alto
Telephone: Phone: 650-329-2171
molly.stump@cityofpaloalto.org
city.attorney@cityofpaloalto.
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| From: | Tony Ciampi (t.ciampi@hotmail.com) |
| Sent: | Thu 6/06/13 1:52 AM |
| To: | reggie.webb@asm.ca.gov (reggie.webb@asm.ca.gov) |
| Cc: | abjpd1@gmail.com (abjpd1@gmail.com) |
Assemblyman Tom Ammiano
Reggie Webb:
Hello Reggie,
I’ll start off with some back ground.
Two years ago the City of Palo Alto first proposed a Vehicle Habitation Ordinance.
Numerous people opposed the ordinance so the city initiated some public forums to obtain feed back. Overwhelmingly the residents declared that an ordinance was not necessary and that existing laws could deal with the occasional problems caused by vehicle dwellers.
A working group was created to discuss the issue of implementing alternatives to the ordinance however the city globed on to a non-viable parking program placing the onus, burdens and liabilities on the local church community which did not have the resources to come through. Contrary to the city’s assertions, the city did not attempt any of the alternatives put forward during the working group meetings.
It became clear that the city was playing a game of attrition which now appears to have been successful as the Policy and Services Committee is recommending that an ordinance be enacted. The full Council will decide the matter in the next couple of months.
Throughout the working group meetings others and myself put forth numerous questions to city staff regarding the problems caused by vehicle dwellers however staff refused to provide any information. This lack of transparency prompted a sterner line of questioning which also was rebuffed by city staff.
Attached you will find a copy of the proposed ordinance as well as an email exchange containing the information sought from City Attorney Molly Stump.
The ordinance itself is so vague that it provides an opportunity to be used as a selective enforcement tool to harass homeless people for simply being homeless. Additionally, as constructed, the ordinance denies the use of vehicles by homeless persons in Palo Alto which would be a violation of the Constitution. Laslty, the ordinance could be used as means to violate the 4thAmendment rights, (unlawful searches), of citizens who are simply sitting in their vehicles.
Palo Alto’s ordinance is providing Assemblyman Tom Ammiano a golden opportunity to demonstrate the necessity of his Homeless Bill of Rights (AB5). By appearing before the Palo Alto City Council Assemblyman Ammiano could bring much needed attention to his Bill garnering the support needed for its enactment. At the very least, Assemblyman Ammiano could submit an official letter to the City opposing the ordinance while promoting Bill.
Council meetings take place at 7:00pm on Mondays at City Hall Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Ave.
I have copied in retired public defender Aram James who has been significantly involved in this entire process from the outset.
City Hall
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
city.council@cityofpaloalto.
General City Information
(650) 329-2100
Molly Stump, City Attorney for Palo Alto
Telephone: Phone: 650-329-2171
molly.stump@cityofpaloalto.org
city.attorney@cityofpaloalto.
Thank you so much for your effort on this issue.
Tony Ciampi
P.O. Box 1681
Palo Alto, CA 94302
Attachment(s) from Robert Norse
5 of 5 File(s)
