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Fresno Councilmembers Want to End Sending of Homeless People to City
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 weeks ago on
January 28, 2025
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Councilmembers Mike Karbassi, Nick Richardson and Annalisa Perea are introducing a new ordinance, scheduled to be heard Thursday, which would fine other agencies caught sending their homeless people without Fresno's permission. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

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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.

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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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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