Anaheim updating laws for obstructions, bike issues, smoking

Anaheim has taken the first step to update city laws on obstructing public spaces, illegally selling bikes and parts and smoking in parks and other places. The changes will apply to everyone in Anaheim, including those living in homelessness.

Anaheim’s City Council unanimously voted to approve the changes on Oct. 8. The additions and updates to the Anaheim Municipal Code require a second vote on Oct. 29. If approved a second time, the changes would take effect 30 days later on Nov. 28.

One set of changes would add provisions to the Anaheim Municipal Code prohibiting abandoned property on sidewalks and other public spaces, lying on or otherwise obstructing sidewalks, staying in medians, parkways and other landscaped areas and using bus benches, park tables and other spaces for extended sleeping or lying down.

Another municipal code addition would address bike thefts and sales in what are known as “chop shops,” or makeshift bike disassembly and parts sales, often in city parks. Anaheim sees about 250 reported stolen bikes each year with many disassembled for sale as parts. The provisions would prohibit assembling, disassembling, selling or distributing multiple bikes, having disassembled bike frames, bikes with missing parts and multiple bike parts.

An update of the municipal code would extend the city’s smoking ban to parks and restrooms as well as near bus benches, schools and day care centers. Smoking cannabis or other drugs, which is never allowed in parks, would be covered by the changes.

Anaheim Police and Code Enforcement officers would continue to have discretion with citations or arrests with a goal of gaining voluntarily compliance.

Shelter, health, housing and other services would also be offered as an alternative to enforcement of violations of the proposed changes as well as for violations of existing municipal code sections.

Even with violations that end up before a judge, help will continue to be extended as part of the Access program, a collaboration between Anaheim and the courts. The Access program brings social workers and others to court to offer case management and services as an alternative to sentencing, with accountability and jail time possible if multiple offers of help are declined.