Councilman Whitburn proposes more shelters and campsites for the homeless in empty parking lots.

SAN DIEGO (CUSI) – San Diego City Councilman Stephen Whitburn (District 3) has unveiled what is probably the most ambitious and practical anti-homelessness plan publicly considered by San Diego legislators.

Whitburn’s plan would make pavement sleeping illegal and give police the power to arrest people with offenses if they refuse a bed.

The plan will also drastically increase the number of beds available by using parking lots and other open areas as safe camp areas. Failure to use one of these beds if it is open will result in the aforementioned penalty.

Several homeless advocates support this plan because it will remove the risk factors for the homeless and society, making the streets safer for everyone.

KUSI’s Rafer Weigel reported that “Ultimately it will be up to Mayor Todd Gloria to get this moving forward.”