In Downey, it may soon be illegal to pee or poop in public

Downey Police have reported problems with public urination and defecation on city streets and alleys. Photo by Alex Dominguez

The Downey City Council on Tuesday will consider an ordinance that would make public urination and defecation illegal in Downey. 

"The Police Department is encountering incidents of public urination, particularly at night, on city streets and alleyways," said city attorney Yvette Abich Garcia. "The Downey Municipal Code contains no reference or prohibition for public urination and defecation." 

Dumping of garbage and other waste is treated as disorderly conduct, added Garcia, but neither public urination or defecation constitutes a punishable offense under the municipal code. 

The police department has recommended the ordinance's approval.

Emory Sipos, who owns E&E Orthocraft on Downey Avenue near 2nd Street, said instances of public urination and drunkenness began when a pair of hookah lounges opened several years ago. 

"As soon as they opened the hookah lounge on Firestone, [customers] would walk from one hookah place to the other," Sipos said. "And then Joseph's opened, and it got even worse."