Laguna Beach : Safer Dayworker Hiring --or New Spot--Sought

The City Council voted unanimously this week to either improve the safety around the area where day laborers gather on Laguna Canyon Road or find a new, safer place for the workers to congregate.

Voicing concern about dayworkers crossing the busy highway, council members and residents said they supported their right to seek work but were concerned about safety.

“We are not trying to eliminate them, like Dana Point,” said council member Martha Collison, referring to a crackdown on dayworkers in that city. “We are concerned about their welfare and (are) trying to create a safer spot.”

Jeff Jahraus, owner of Laguna Lumber, a business near the current dayworker pickup spot on Laguna Canyon Road, said workers often run out to meet trucks.

“People in cars wave them across the road,” he said. “The biggest problem is running back and forth and cars not pulling off the road.”

Mayor Robert F. Gentry directed city staff members to look at the feasibility of changing the present location to a nearby parking lot on Laguna Canyon Road or back to a previous site at a bus turnaround area.

The city will also investigate ways to improve the current location through signs, education and site work.

Residents expressed a desire to have some system to coordinate workers with those needing labor. Suggestions included drawing up listings of skills and fees, assisting with language barriers and drawing numbers to eliminate people running out to meet cars in the street.