Edmonds proposal would criminalize camping on public property
EDMONDS — An ordinance proposed by the Edmonds City Council president would make it illegal for unhoused people to “occupy public property overnight” if they refuse services, like overnight shelter.
“It establishes protections for our housed residents when unhoused residents refuse to accept help from the city and our community partners,” City Council President Vivian Olson said in an email to city officials last week.
Resident after resident appeared Tuesday in council chambers and via Zoom to express support for — or disgust with — the council’s consideration of the ordinance.
“Criminalizing homelessness actually runs counter to the recommendations of the city’s own task force,” Edmonds resident Dan Murphy said. “It seems like the council and the city are just taking the easy way out. … ‘Let’s kick the unfortunate people out of town. Let’s get them out of sight, out of mind.’”
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/edmonds-proposal-would-criminalize-camping-on-public-property/