Wichita Mayor Lily Wu and City Council members are asking staff to look into the local impacts and ramifications of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on homeless encampments in the nation’s cities.
The Supreme Court ruled that cities can enforce laws banning homeless encampments on sidewalks and other public property. The justices ruled 6-3 that it is not cruel and unusual punishment for cities to ban homeless persons from sleeping on sidewalks and in parks.
Mayor Wu said she wants to see information on actual procedures, so it is clear what the Wichita Police Department can and cannot do, and she asked for a future presentation to the Council to provide further clarity on the cleanup of camp sites.
Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson said the issue will need a balanced approach, to avoid criminalizing people who are experiencing homelessness. He said the Multi-Agency Center that the city is developing will be critical in this process. He said the goal is to get homeless people the services and housing they need to get back to a productive lifestyle. Anderson said staff will continue to evaluate the Supreme Court ruling and what it means for day-to-day operations and the Multi-Agency Center.
