If Manteca Police pass a bank at night — or any property for that matter — that has a sign citing new ordinance language that is posted in clear sight, they will have the legal authority to get any loitering person to move on.

The move making Manteca’s anti-loitering ordinance more robust comes after a sharp increase in mostly homeless individuals  sitting or lying down outside of Manteca businesses such as convenience stores, banks, and other concerns.

“We’re probably going to need a thousand signs,” Mayor Gary Singh said this week after the council on Tuesday approved the first reading of the language change in the city’s loitering ordinance.

The ordinance needs to be approved at a second reading by the council at their Feb. 20 meeting

If it is approved a second time, it will go into effect by the end of March.

The only controversy the issue triggered was whether Manteca should have the signs produced and sell them directly to merchants at what is excepted to be $30 a pop or else have the criteria available in terms of sign wording and measurements.

That information could be taken to a sign  maker of the property-owner’s choice.

Singh prefers to have the signs ready to go.

Council member Charlie Halford is concerned the city would be infringing on private sector business even though the city would have the signs they make available produced made by a vendor.

Whatever route the city goes, the private property owners will be responsible for paying for the  signs and installing them.

And they need to be placed in a visible location and enough ofc them placed for the property’s size so responding officers can reference the sign to those that are suspected to be loitering.

Violators will be subjected to fines. More importantly, police officers will have the authority to order violators to move.

 If they do to comply they could be subject to arrest.

The municipal code amendment basically will allow police to go after loitering and trespassing on private property.

Unlike the city ordinance that requires the property owner to file a letter with the police department and periodically update it throughout the year, the postings of the signs will suffice to give police the authority to enforce anti-loitering rules.

Throughout 2023, the Manteca Police officers have increasingly observed loitering on private property.

The department has also received a growing number of complaints from private property owners and businesses regarding trespassing and loitering. 

In a report to the council, Police Chief Steve Schluer noted officers primarily observe trespassing and loitering near busy shopping centers, gas stations, and convenience stores where people will loiter and solicit customers for money, engage in illegal drug and alcohol use, sleep near building entrances and exits, and vandalize property. 

Trespassing is a common issue on vacant properties throughout the City where a property owner and/or his/her/their agent are not continuously present. 

 The police chief said as a result, business operations are impacted, customers are discouraged from entering businesses, and the safety and welfare of residents and customers are compromised.

Currently, the Manteca Police Department utilizes a Trespass Arrest Authorization form pursuant to California Penal Code Section 602, which provides property owners or businesses the ability to make a single one-time request with the Police Department to enforce Section 602 at the property. 

The ordinance amendment will provide an additional mechanism for the Police Department to address trespassing and loitering under the Manteca Municipal Code.

Similar ordinance amendments in Lodi and Stockton has approved the effectiveness of officers in those two cities to address loitering.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulleitn.com