The Fall River City Council has voted to approve an ordinance that would penalize illegal camping on public property.
The measure came about after residents across the city complained about individuals at homeless encampments trespassing, littering and being a nuisance to the neighborhood. The U.S. Supreme Court this spring ruled communities have the authority to restrict encampments on public property.
For the second straight meeting, those sympathetic to the plight of the homeless in the city came out to urge the council not to pass the ordinance. Christopher Conlon has been homeless for over two years and says forcing people to leave their camps puts them in a state of fear.
Reverend James Medley of the Church of the Holy Spirit suggests the city is focusing on the wrong issue in dealing with homelessness.
Laura Sampson was the lone councilor in opposition to the ordinance, saying more work needs to be done to find solutions to the city’s homeless problem.
Councilor Michelle Dionne says the city has been working on the plight of the city’s homeless for over two years with consideration to both the homeless and property owners impacted by encampments.
Enforcement of the new ordinance now lies with the Coogan administration and city police. The mayor says tackling this issue continues to be a difficult one.
