Report prepared by Eileen Garcia.
The following is a photo report of a visit to Laguna Beach by Congressman John Campbell’s Washington, DC staffer, Christopher Bognanno.

The meeting took place Tuesday, January 29th at 2pm.
To read all of Congressman Campbell’s letters to ICE asking for a raid in Laguna Beach go to http://www.betsyrosspatriots.com and click on the tab “Documents”.

Congressman Campbell’s staff member, Christopher and I met across the highway of the Laguna Beach day labor site.  (Both properties, the DLS and the parking area where we are standing belong to the state of California Caltrans Department).  We witnessed at least 25 guys still at the site, although it was officially closed for business. There was no supervision and no police in sight. 

There were approximately 15 guys at the site, 2 men were up the highway out of the day labor site boundaries and it appeared they were soliciting trucks. Four men were on our side of the highway (right behind us in this photo). They were huddled around a car which had the back door opened.  One other man was sitting in a different car appearing to be either sleeping or listening to the radio. Although the city policy states there is to be NO parking on the DLS property, you can see some guys pulled their truck up and were “hanging out” listening to music. Notice the man near the front of the truck giving us the double flip off.

This group of men were playing some sort of dice game. We watched for several minutes and continued to snap pictures of their gambling.  Nothing phased their game, as they continued to throw dice and money was being exchanged. You can clearly see the man in the middle with the dark sweatshirt is the keeper of the “booty” and he would dole out the money with each roll of the dice. You can see the wad of bills in his hand.

The Congressman’s staffer stared in amazement at the brazenness of this group of men who knew full well they were being watched and photographed. Please keep in mind this is CALIFORNIA STATE LAND!

The next few shots you will see guys darting back and forth across the state highway. At one point a car had to slam on their brakes in an effort to miss striking him.  In addition to these photos we had a FILM camera with us and we are waiting for it to be developed. There are approximately 20 photos taken of men darting across this major state highway.

This side of the highway is NOT included in the Caltrans sale of the DLS land, so this will continue to be owned by the State of California. As you can see the day laborers use this side as their parking lot. At all times of the day you can find guys loitering around and some sleeping in their cars.  There have been reports by Laguna Beach city officials that the day workers are camping in the canyons above the DLS. TO VIEW MORE CRIMES OF LOITERING, GAMBLING, AND RUNNING THROUGH TRAFFIC GO TO THE GALLERY SECTION AND CHOOSE “LAGUNA BEACH DAY LABOR CRIMES”.

As you view this photos please remember the recent case where the city of Dana Point paid out a $50 MILLION settlement when two joggers were hit on another state highway (Highway 1 PCH).

The City of Laguna Beach and Caltrans have been put on notice many times that having this day labor site operating right next to a major state highway (Highway 133) is a dangerous situation.  It’s only a matter of time before there will be an injury or fatality. Do we, as California and Laguna Beach taxpayers, want to continue to bear the responsibility for this lawsuit waiting to happen?

It’s time for Laguna Beach and Caltrans to Shut Down this day labor site.  Now a Federal official has seen these crimes firsthand. There are NO MORE EXCUSES!

CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN, STATE SENATOR, and ASSEMBLYMAN AND TELL THEM WE DO NOT WANT OUR TAX DOLLARS PAYING FOR ANY MORE DAY LABOR SITES!

Congressman John Campbell
Orange County Office:

610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 330
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 756-2244
Fax: (949) 251-9309
Washington Office:
1728 Longworth Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5611
Fax: (202) 225-9177

State Senator Tom Harman
State Capitol, Room 2052
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4035
Fax: (916) 445-9263

950 South Coast Dr., Ste 240
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (714) 957-4555
Fax: (714) 957-4560

Assemblyman Chuck Devore
EMAIL: 

Office Locations
Capitol Office
State Capitol Room 4102
Sacramento, CA 94249-0070
Ph: (916) 319-2070
Fax: (916) 319-2170

Irvine District Office
3 Park Plaza Suite 275
Irvine, CA 92614
Ph: 949-863-7070
Fax: 949-863-9337