City police and code-enforcement leaders described a joint approach that pairs outreach with targeted enforcement and legal tools to keep public spaces usable while offering services.

"You can't arrest your way out of homelessness," Captain Watkins said while describing the Costa Mesa Police Department's role: offering services and using enforcement to deter long-term encampments and criminal behavior. Watkins said the department's Community Policing Unit cleared 110 encampments last year, connected 25 people to housing with help from outreach, made about 255 arrests and issued 28 citations; the unit also works with park rangers and public-works crews on cleanup and encampment mitigation.

Code enforcement and property maintenance: Community Improvement Manager Rene Macias described commercial and residential enforcement aimed at addressing blight and unsafe properties that attract camping. He said code enforcement fields complaints through the 311 system and partners with outreach to refer cases back to property owners for voluntary compliance, citation or other remedies.

Legal framework: City Attorney Kimberly Barlow summarized the anti-camping ordinance and the city's legal position. She said the ordinance prohibits camping, storage or use of camping equipment and unattended personal property in public places and explained the city's process for notice, storage and 90-day retention of claimed property. Barlow referenced the Grants Pass (U.S. Supreme Court) decision and said it allows jurisdictions more flexibility to combine shelter capacity and enforcement tools. She said the city's earlier settlement and the development of shelter capacity leaves Costa Mesa positioned to enforce local rules while keeping services available.

Public guidance and tools: Captain Watkins highlighted tools for property owners such as the Limited Authorization for Arrest (LATE) program, which allows qualifying businesses to pre-authorize trespass arrests on private property. He urged residents to report crimes and suspicious activity via 911 or nonemergency police channels and to use 311 or the NHS hotline for nonurgent outreach needs.

Ending: Officials said enforcement is used in tandem with outreach and shelter options, and emphasized that the city will continue to evaluate whether additional legal or code tools are needed to address public-safety and property-maintenance concerns.