Homeless people who camp on public land in Portland, Oregon, and refuse offers of shelter could be fined up to $100 or sentenced to up to seven days in jail under new rules unanimously approved by the City Council on Wednesday. may be imposed.
If shelter is not available, similar penalties apply for blocking a sidewalk, using a gas stove or starting a fire, or leaving belongings more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) outside the tent. .
Northwest crisis: Urban fight against homelessness could have dire consequences for the nation
The ordinance is effective immediately and enforcement is expected to begin in the coming weeks, according to Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office.
“Addressing the problem of unsheltered homelessness in our city is a complex and urgent challenge, and we believe this ordinance is an important step forward in our continued efforts to effectively manage our public spaces.” Wheeler said in a statement.
Frank, a homeless man, sits in a tent overlooking the river on Saturday, June 5, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. The City Council in Portland, Oregon, has approved new rules regarding homeless encampments. According to the rules, those who refuse to provide shelter could face penalties including a fine of up to $100 or up to seven days in jail. (AP Photo/Paula Bronstein)
Wheeler’s office said those who accepted shelter offers will not be named. For those cited, the court will decide whether to waive the fine. The ordinance says it encourages diverting people to testing, emergency shelter or housing instead of jail.
The mayor’s office said the new rules are intended to comply with state law that requires cities to set “objectively reasonable” restrictions on when, where and how people can camp in public. said. An earlier, stricter ordinance banning daytime camping is facing fines and jail time, as a lawsuit challenging the measures brought by advocates on behalf of homeless people makes its way through the courts. It was withheld by the authorities. court.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The move comes as Portland and other cities in the western United States struggle to cope with a growing number of homeless encampments. Many officials say encampments need to be able to be controlled to keep streets safe and sanitary, while advocacy groups say people should be criminalized for not having housing. claims that it is not.
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether cities can punish people who sleep outdoors when shelter space is in short supply, after hearing a lawsuit brought by the small Oregon town of Grants Pass. . This is the most important case brought before the High Court on this issue in decades, and comes amid record levels of homelessness across the country.
