By Daily Press staff
The public safety committee of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce will visit area businesses today to determine whether a law passed last fall preventing people from sleeping in front of downtown doorways has been effective.
After much debate and controversy, the City Council passed an ordinance last October that bans people from sleeping in front of businesses, if the business owner posts a sign citing the law. The ordinance, which police started enforcing earlier this year, was in response to complaints from residents, merchants and tourists who say homeless people were urinating and defecating in the doorways.
All chamber members are invited to tour local businesses today with the committee. People are asked to meet at 3 p.m. at the chamber office, located at 501 Colorado Ave.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 28, 2003. Read the original PDF.