Fresno councilmembers seek heavier penalties for trespassing on private property open to the pubilc. Photo by Michael Dziedzic on unsplash.com

On the heels of approving one of the state’s earliest camping bans, members of the Fresno City Council are now looking to empower private property owners to keep trespassers away.

Councilmembers Garry Bredefeld, Mike Karbassi and Tyler Maxwell are introducing an ordinance at the Aug. 29 regular meeting that would make it a misdemeanor, result in a fine and be punishable by up to one year in county jail for those trespassing on private property after being told to leave.

The ordinance is aimed at enforcing property rights for privately owned businesses open to the public.

The councilmembers are hosting a Tuesday morning news conference to discuss the new ordinance.

According to the ordinance text, violations could come with up to a $1,000 fine.

The penalties are similar to the anti-camping ban in Fresno that takes effect Sept. 15.