Resident urges Cerritos to address presence of people experiencing homelessness in city parks

A resident raised concerns at the May 1 Cerritos Parks and Recreation Commission meeting about the growing presence of people experiencing homelessness in Liberty Park and other city parks, and urged the commission to refer the matter to the City Council for broader outreach coordination with county or regional partners.

The resident, identified in the transcript as Adrienne, said she has observed people “sitting” and “lying” outside the Liberty Park facility at many hours, and that some residents — including relatives — avoid certain parks because of discomfort. Adrienne asked that the commission consider elevating the issue to the City Council and work with county, regional or faith-based partners to provide outreach and assistance while maintaining park cleanliness and safety.

A staff member told the commission the city is aware of the issue and that the Community Safety Division is monitoring park use. Staff noted the city ordinance that prohibits being in the park overnight — described in the meeting as restricted from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. — and said individuals are “more than welcome” in parks during permissible hours. The staff member also said outreach and coordination with partners could be considered.

Adrienne referenced a figure she attributed to Commissioner Pat Patnaik, saying “Pat Nayak mentioned that there's 34 homeless in the city of Cerritos” and that encampments are spread across the city and present in some parks. The transcript does not record a commission vote or formal direction on the item; staff indicated the matter could be brought to the Community Safety Division or City Council for further consideration.

The commission did not take formal action on the item during the meeting. Staff indicated awareness and existing responsibilities for community safety outreach.