- “Even though Torrance is virtually free of any encampments thanks to the policy and outreach we have in place, it is still evident that we have a large number of vagrants that wander around our community and many are showing signs of drug addiction and/or mental health issues.” – Councilmember Aurelio Mattucci
In a sign of the times after the Grants Pass decision, Torrance is taking the next step toward criminalizing homelessness by threatening to arrest people who refuse shelter.
The Torrance City Council this week directed staff to draft an ordinance that would make it illegal for homeless people to refuse shelter, while also considering the creation of military-style camps with tents to expand temporary housing, according to a report by the Daily Breeze.
The request was introduced by Councilmember Aurelio Mattucci, who said he was inspired by San Jose’s “Responsibility to Shelter Initiative,” which requires the arrest of an unhoused individual who refuses shelter three times…