Fresno is considering another tool to limit the growth of its homeless population — stopping other government agencies from sending theirs to town.

Councilmembers Mike Karbassi and Nick Richardson are introducing a new ordinance, scheduled to be heard at Thursday’s city council meeting, which would fine other agencies caught sending their homeless people without Fresno’s permission.

Karbassi said he does not know which agencies are shipping the homeless or how many, but he wants it to stop.

“While we have suspicions, we are sending a message that if another municipality is caught, we’ll throw the book at ’em,” Karbassi told GV Wire.

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News Conference Planned for Wednesday

Karbassi and Richardson will speak to the media at City Hall about the plan Wednesday morning. Clovis Mayor Vong Mouanoutoua and Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz will join them.

Government agencies caught shipping homeless people could be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, subject to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Karbassi said Janz signed off on the legality of litigation against another jurisdiction but is unclear how practical imprisonment is.

The proposed ordinance reads, “No law enforcement officer, agent or employee of a county, city, or any other governmental entity, when acting in their official capacity or using government property, shall transport and drop off an individual on public property, or private property that is accessible to the public, within the City of Fresno, when the person being transported and dropped-off lacks a fixed, regular or adequate residence.”

There are several exemptions. For example, transportation to a jail, medical facility, or to a shelter when it is verified the homeless person will be accepted there.

Santa Cruz has a similar ordinance, Karbassi said.

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