DAY LABORERS: BACKGROUND & HISTORY (series part-I)....

For more than twenty-years the Monument Boulevard Corridor has been a gathering spot for Day Laborers in search of work (or just to hang out with their friends). Initially, the primary gathering spot was the intersection of Monument Boulevard at Lacey Lane. A 7-Eleven store is located at this intersection and it was the original central gathering place. On some days, there were as many as 25-50 subjects in and around the 7-Eleven store parking lot. Over time, the Day Laborers have increased their numbers and now stretch out along the corridor between The Trees Lane and Caven Way. The Day Laborers have also branched out to Meridian Park Boulevard (Home Depot). It is not uncommon to have Day Laborers loitering in front of businesses on both sides of Monument Boulevard between Caven Way to the east, and The Trees Drive to the west. By 1999 the number had increased to 75-125 on an average day. The vast majority of Day Laborers are Hispanic males. According to Lieutenant Andrew L. Gartner, of the Concord Police Department, a significant number being undocumented aliens.

The problems associated with the loitering Day Laborers center on complaints from both the residential and business communities. Concord Police Department personnel and Concord City staff receive frequent complaints from residents who are intimidated by the vast numbers of loitering men (and women). Many residents have expressed a fear of shopping in the area when the Day Laborers are present. On occasion, there have been confrontations between residents and the loitering Day Laborers. At times, individuals (especially those driving pick-up trucks) attempting to do business in The Monument Boulevard Corridor, are surrounded by Day Laborers seeking work. These shoppers feel quite intimidated by the aggressiveness of the Day Laborers and these shoppers are often compelled to take their business elsewhere, even to other towns (mainly Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Pacheco, Martinez, and Clayton). Significant sales-tax dollars are lost to Concord, shoppers time and fuel are lost when shoppers feel more comfortable shopping in adjacent towns that don't allow the Day Laborer loitering problem to exist.

( ... to be continued ...)