A federal judge Thursday issued an injunction against the city of Los Angeles to stop the seizure and destruction of the personal possessions of homeless residents of Skid Row.

The ruling follows a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez in April.

Gutierrez rejected the city's claim that property along downtown's Skid Row was abandoned or created a public hazard.

The judge ruled that homeless people have an expectation of privacy in their property, even when they leave it unattended on public sidewalks for short periods of time.

He also rejected the claim that signs posted by the city, advising that property on the sidewalks would be disposed of, was proper justification that anything on the sidewalk was abandoned and could be taken and destroyed.

"Homeless people have now had their inalienable rights of person and property validated by the court — LAPD hands-off!" said Jeff Dietrech of the Catholic Worker/Hippie Kitchen in Skid Row.

A call for comment to a representative of the City Attorney's Office after regular business hours was not immediately returned.