In the settlement reached with the pro bono law firm Public Counsel, the city agreed to build 388 lockers for the property of homeless people and to stop enforcing three laws that prohibit tents, personal property and overnight sleeping on public property. Enforcement of the overnight sleeping ban could resume once sufficient accommodations exist, either in indoor shelters or open spaces designated for overnight stays. Public Counsel filed the class-action lawsuit in March, alleging that the constitutional rights of homeless people were being violated by city officials who confiscated and destroyed their property. The 15-point Pomona settlement goes beyond the issues in the lawsuit by addressing the thorny topic of overnight camping. The Pomona settlement showed an unusual spirit of compromise.

Source: Los Angeles Times September 12, 2016 01:27 UTC