We should focus our energies on improving the lives of the homeless elsewhere. This is wasted energy and offers only a false promise. Perhaps we could try a NEW regulation that uses a percentage of recycling revenue for homelessness relief efforts. Well, that would be legal. Do you agree, but is it not too late? From the “looting side” of the city: The conversation you had with the council member is fascinating. I thought the reason this new regulation was necessary was to allow for summons and prosecution for looting. So why should we be sure that we choose not to disturb the little boys at this point? I`m skeptical of large-scale domestic operations, but it seems better than stopping hobos and making cleanup illegal. I find it hard to believe that the wording could not have been designed to distinguish an illegal business model from the individual trying to generate a small income for his or her personal use. I am strongly opposed to what I perceive as a more concerted public effort to “criminalize” poverty, be it homelessness, looting or begging. Recently, we have seen prominent members of our community humiliate the homeless during public comments from City Council. In a city where we have such abundance, I think that instead of criminalizing and dehumanizing (I`m referring to some posts previously edited in this forum), we should spend time focusing on how we, as a community, can better serve the less fortunate among us.
I see Robb Davis as a true leader in this area and urge everyone who has strong feelings on this issue on both sides to consider, support and work with Robb on this issue. No matter how appropriate it is to name homeless people for looting, this Facebook targets them or other “family scavengers,” not large-scale organized operations. I don`t know if it was intentional, but I`m concerned that the tone is too aggressive, divisive and inflammatory. The provision of “vehicle assistance” in an ordinance decree is quite creative and would certainly make a difference in the application of the law. But how can the presence or absence of a vehicle be legally justified if it has not been added to control the amount of loot that passes? If that were the true intention, we would simply be imitating the current law that places a monetary value on the loss and the degree of penalty. They add: “Waste recovery raises several safety concerns. The city has received complaints about scavengers stealing recyclables from sideyards and garages. Customers are also concerned about identity theft, as scavengers can sort postal and prescription pill bottles into recycling carts. The police department received more than 200 calls about looting in 2013. A significant number of garbage collectors contacted by officers have criminal records, some for identity theft.
If the state wants to create negative incentives for looting, then levy taxes on mass repatriation without a permit to loot. Simply put, you cannot partially legalize criminal theft. You cannot pass a law with a wink clause. Yes, it used to be done (e.g., the poll tax), but this pesky thing called the U.S. Constitution says you can no longer favor or have a certain class bias. They add, “So the next time you see someone catch through a recycling truck or trash can, remember that it`s a crime and you can do something about it.” “Maybe you could try a NEW regulation that uses a percentage of recycling revenue for homelessness relief efforts. Well, that would be legal. The website takes you to a city FAQ and here it is mentioned for the first time: “Recovery is not just a way for some people to earn a little extra money; It will also become a commercial operation. The city has received reports that organized teams from outside the city are carrying out looting operations. Scavengers come from out of town because they know recycling theft is rarely applied in Davis.
In her January 14, 2014 presentation, Dianna Jensen highlighted growing concerns about organized looting operations caused by the rising value of recyclables and the economic downturn. To stop this crime, the city encourages anyone who encounters an incident of looting that has already occurred to report it. If you observe someone cleaning, please note the following information: “In January 2014, the Davis City Council passed an ordinance updating the city`s tidying up code.” To report looting, please submit a garbage/garbage/recycling collection service request or contact the Environment Department at 858-694-7000 Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After hours, weekends or holidays, contact the San Diego Police Department at 619-531-2000. To report looting, please contact the San Diego Police Department 24/7 at 619-531-2000. If there is a delay in reporting and the scavenger is no longer in the area, please contact your local substation. Like illegal landfills, garbage recovery is a crime in San Diego and is taken very seriously by the city.
The city could, of course, have addressed this problem by setting thresholds for issuing the ordinance and harsher penalties for organized teams in trucks, but instead issued a general ordinance encouraging the public to drop off anyone who loots, not just organized teams. On February 4, they said on the Davis Recycling Facebook page, which is operated by DWR: “Removing recyclable materials from Davis Waste Removal carts is illegal. As of February 27, 2014, this will be an offence punishable by fines of up to $500. Each establishment or facility must meet the following requirements: “Curbside recyclable material becomes the property of the city or the city`s authorized collector at the time of curbside enrolment. Recyclable material contained in commercial containers becomes the property of the city-authorized waste collector at the time of storage in the container. (Davis City Code 32.01.060) What kind of regulation is set in stone? Can`t cancel or edit? No one bothered to point out that the new rates imposed by DWR had already burned in losses. The message continues: “Scavengers aren`t just stealing from Davis Waste Removal, they`re also stealing from Davis residents and business owners because revenue from selling recyclables goes directly back to fee payers in the form of lower service rates.