EL CAJON, Calif. — The El Cajon City Council analyzed San Diego's newly approved encampment ban. They also discussed what they learned from a recent series of community townhalls on homelessness.
As it stands, El Cajon regulates camping or sleeping on public property in three areas. In El Cajon, a person cannot camp on a public sidewalk, street or alley.
Camping overnight in a city park or city playground is off-limits. It's also illegal to camp within the "superblock." This area includes the Civic Center, Judson Park and Prescott Promenade.
The city is hoping public input will turn into better solutions.
"I hope we can use the momentum and goodwill from those meetings to explore other more hidden aspects of homelessness and housing insecurity," said Rebecca, an El Cajon resident.
She said she attended all four community town halls. This is where she and other community members shared their thoughts on the homeless crisis.
"There's so many misconceptions about what homelessness is, what we can do and should be doing, where our hands are tied. All of that would be valuable if we could get to that," said Mayor Bill Wells.
Council members said they want to clearly define what homelessness is.
"I don't want to encourage or pay for the self destructive lifestyle of the homeless addicted to drugs and breaking into cars," said councilmember Gary Kendrick.
They said defining homelessness would help the better assist people in need.
"The mom living out of her car now that's traditionally what we would describe as homeless. She needs help," said councilmember Phil Ortiz.
El Cajon's assistant city manager, Vince DiMaggio, recommended waiting six months to one year to see how San Diego's encampment ban plays out before El Cajon makes any of its own changes.
WATCH RELATED: El Cajon to consider copying San Diego homeless encampment ban (June 2023)