FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno is passing a new ordinance to eliminate encampments in public places, which will impact the homeless population.
The motion was passed at the city council meeting on Thursday morning with the votes of five city council members and the dissenting vote of President Annalisa Perea.
“This is about dealing with a subculture of homeless people who refuse to accept help, use drugs, engage in criminal activity … harass businesses and people in the neighborhoods,” said City Councilor Garry Bredefeld.
The ordinance prohibits camping in public places as well as sitting or lying in public places, including streets, sidewalks and alleys.
According to Bredefeld, a final decision was necessary after Governor Gavin Newsom ordered state authorities to develop a plan to clear the camps.
Newsom also said local authorities that do not follow suit will no longer receive state grants next year.
The state’s action followed a Supreme Court decision in June.
“The Supreme Court ruling now gives us the opportunity to enforce this, and that is what we will do,” said Bredefeld.
The meeting was also attended by community members who disagreed with the proposal and expressed their concerns.
“This is inhumane and unworkable. It will create so many problems for the homeless community and our society as a whole,” said attorney Kevin Little.
Little is a lawyer and believes one of the problems is that courtrooms are filled with people who are not criminals and simply need help.
He believes there is a better way to solve the homeless crisis.
“We need longer-term housing, coupled with effective services and job training programs to get people’s lives back on track, not punishment and incarceration,” Little said.
Bredefeld assures that there are resources for people in need.
“Many homeless people said they were fed up with this lifestyle, sought help, got help and led productive lives,” said Bredefeld. “There are offers of help and people who want to help them, but many do not want help.”
Fresno Police will enforce the new ordinance when it goes into effect on September 15.
Violations may be considered misdemeanors and may be punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to one thousand dollars.
The city will confiscate the property of all persons arrested.
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