Day laborer site in T.O. gets attention again in debate over Home Depot

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers LOOKING FOR WORK—Traffic flows on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks past day laborers who congregate just off of Hampshire Road and Royal Oaks Drive on Tues., March 24. The city's day laborer site on Royal Oaks Drive received a lot of attention recently when City Council members repeatedly referred to it as a reason not to allow a Home Depot to be built on Hampshire Road.

Councilmember Dennis Gillette and others said they weren't satisfied Home Depot was prepared to deal with the safety issues that were sure to arise when day laborers came to the building supply store seeking contractors to hire them.

Gillette, a longtime council member, recalled issues that plagued the city for years before an official day laborer site was created for workers. Some of the laborers would walk into roadways and leave litter in residents' yards or use them as restrooms.

The 3120 Royal Oaks Drive site, with picnic tables, a drinking fountain, toilets and people on site helping to maintain orderly conduct, has been a great improvement, Gillette said.

Ventura County Sheriff 's Department spokesperson Sgt. Don Aguilar agrees the day laborer site is running smoothly.

"It's a very orderly park that's been very successful," Aguilar said.

Only seven calls for service, including one disturbance, two public intoxication and three narcotics calls, have come in over the past three years at or near the day laborer area, he said.

Aguilar personally drops by the park about three days a week to see what's going on and to listen to public comments, he said.

"We're proactive in educating people and working together. It's been great."

The laborer site also came up during the city's goal-setting session in February when Councilmember Claudia Bill-de la Peña questioned the financial wisdom of the city's spending nearly $100,000 a year for a labor site near a residential area.

"I personally do not think taxpayers should fund that location. A nonprofit should take over management," Bill-de la Peña said.

The city pays a consultant group to help coordinate code compliance and maintain order at the day laborer site.

"There are two consultants there the entire time the park is open to workers," Aguilar said.

The site is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays and 6:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Sundays.