Herndon officials are now considering new steps to crackdown on day laborers who gather in public areas.

After the town council shut down a controversial job center designed to help immigrants find work without loitering in parking lots and on corners, the men returned. So did the complaints about loitering, drunkenness and cat calls.

One current gathering spot is the intersection of Elden Street and Alabama Avenue. 

According to Herndon resident Bruce Napoli, it "gives a bad appearance. You'd like to keep a clean town and having people sit around, hanging around -- {it} just doesn't look good," he said.

Complaints like that have led Councilman Dennis Husch to propose a series of measures to make life more difficult for the day laborers, without violating their constitutional right to look for work.

"That mess down on Alabama Avenue and Elden Street is the broken window," said Husch. "You let the broken window go, and the rest of the house deteriorates, and we've just got to bring it to a stop."

Husch has proposed banning alcohol sales except for bars and restaurants; removing pay phones so immigrants can't call home; requiring those renting out rooms to get permits to ensure premises are clean and not overcrowded; and confiscating bikes not left in bike racks.

While many approve of the tough tactics, some like Herndon resident Charles Walker think there might be a more simple solution -- bring back the job center:

"It keeps them off the street, and keeps things more orderly, keeps the property values up," he said.

The town council will take up the proposals next month.

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