Long Beach To Clear Encampments In Response To Funding Threats

LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach officials started clearing homeless encampments on Monday in response to Governor Gavin Newsom's repeated threats to withhold funding from cities that don't comply with his recent directive.

In July, Newsom ordered cities across the state to dismantle homeless encampments and a Supreme Court ruling in June removed barriers to clearing encampments. In Long Beach, unhoused people who refuse to leave encampments could be cited or arrested, officials said..

According to a memo from Long Beach's deputy city manager, the police department now has the discretion to enforce ordinances restricting camping or sleeping in public places.

Notices were posted in the areas near where people camp to warn of the changes over the weekend, including at Gumbiner Park on the corner of Seventh Street and Alamitos Avenue.

“On 8/19-8/20 this area will be cleared of all debris by the city of Long Beach. All personal belongings should be removed from the area prior to 7 a.m.,” the notice read.

Long Beach's approach to the change differs from Los Angeles County's recent reaffirmation of its commitment against criminalizing homelessness. The LA County Board of Supervisors insisted county jails would not be used to hold people arrested during anti-camping ordinances.

Mayor Rex Richardson said Long Beach will continue to take a human-centered approach and staff will be cautious about choosing what camps to clear.