OC to enforce curfew aimed at homeless along Santa Ana River Trail

SANTA ANA, Calif. (FOX 11) - Beginning Friday, Orange County will enforce public access hours on a 10-mile stretch of the Santa Ana River trail between Huntington Beach and Anaheim.

The move announced by the County Board of Supervisors earlier this week is expected to force out hundreds living along the river trail.

The plan also calls for permanently closing the west side of the flood control channel between 17th Street in Santa Ana and Adams Avenue in Huntington Beach beginning Nov. 10.

People on the Santa Ana River trail outside of the posted hours will be considered in violation of state trespassing laws and will be cited. The county also is expected to begin installing gates at all public entrances later this year.

"I will not allow the Santa Ana River Trail to become Orange County's Skid Row," Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer said in a statement.

"People suffering from homelessness must be treated with compassion. County agencies have developed an integrated System of Care and are on the riverbed every day offering comprehensive assistance."