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Concerns aired over day laborers in Lake Forest

Unsafe conditions cited by 14 speakers. By RITA M. FREEMAN

The OrangeCounty Register

LAKE FOREST – Members of the City Council listened to 14 speakers Tuesday night express their concerns about day laborers in the city.

S & S Auto Service co-owner Gary Smith said he is sick of litter, public drunkenness and harassment of his customers.

Lake Forest resident Todd MacAndrew said it is unsafe to walk on Jeronimo and El Toro roads.

Land owner Richard Laub said his property values have suffered.

Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist joined residents and business owners in asking the council for its help to remedy the circumstances.

"We have become increasingly frustrated as we have watched our area deteriorate with litter, public urination, drunkenness and harassment of our customers as they slowly pull onto Orange Avenue in search of our location," Smith said. "We are constantly asked by our customers why something isn't done about the day laborers here, and shouldn't we relocate to a less intimidating location?"

The audience of about 30 applauded each time a speaker addressed the council on concerns for their safety and those around them. Some audience members did commend the deputies for their ongoing efforts to help the businesses and owners with the day laborers.

No one was at the meeting to speak on behalf of the day laborers.

In his opening comments as the newly appointed mayor, Richard Dixon said the day laborer problem would be a challenge the city faced this year.

CONTACT US: rfreeman@ocregister.com or (949) 454-7360