In another move clamping down on public use of previously public space, the city of Santa Cruz posted "closing hours" on the City Hall grounds for the first time, without any kind of public hearing, announcement, or rationale. When then-Mayor Mike Rotkin tried to close down City Hall in 1996 to end another homeless protest against the Sleeping Ban, the City Council declined to back him and Judge Samuel Stevens ended up granting a very limited injunction requiring that folks there "obey all laws." This time, without a hearing, Parks and Recreation, which controls virtually all the public space around public buildings, issued an edict closing the area.

In the early morning of August 22nd, police issued four citations at Santa Cruz Peace Camp 2010 for lodging in violation of California Penal Code Section 647e. 72-year old Collette Connolly was taken to jail for refusing to sign the citation. A generator is said to cost $100 for each night that it chugs and growls in front of City Hall to fuel the burning glare of four 15' high klieg lights.

Read more | Homeless Settle In As Police Continue Nighttime Raids & Daytime Surveillance | Lights, Camera, Tickets! Klieg Lights at City Hall--Throwing Light on the Shelter Shortage | Correcting the Record at the Homeless Services Center | previous coverage: Peace Camp 2010 Relocates from County Courthouse to Santa Cruz City Hall