On Nov. 11, federal magistrate Judge William McCurine Jr. amended a court order that allows San Diego law enforcement to cite homeless individuals for sleeping on public property under certain conditions. “Illegal lodging” is considered a misdemeanor between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. if a police officer confirms that a bed is available within a five-mile radius of 25th and Market Street, and the individual refuses to take it. The amendment reverses a 2007 federal court order that banned law enforcement from citing homeless individuals for illegal lodging due to insufficient alternative accommodations. The city has increased its efforts to improve alternatives for the homeless in recent years, including working to transform the San Diego World Trade Center building into a permanent homeless service center and housing facility. Over the past year, attorneys from the 2007 lawsuit have been working with the city to find common ground on actions regarding the homeless population. “We all agreed that the current situation was not good for anyone,” said City Attorney Jan Goldsmith. Goldsmith said the amended court order incentivizes the homeless population to get into a shelter and get help — or else go to jail.








