In a narrow vote, the Wichita City Council has approved changes to a city ordinance on illegal camping.
The changes were made to allow for faster clean up of illegal camping sites at public locations, and for other locations a 48-hour notice will be given. If a person refuses to leave and clean up the property, they may be cited with a violation. Penalties for illegal camping were reduced from $500 to $200, but community service could be assigned instead of a fine.
There were two dozen citizens who spoke during the Council meeting, and some were highly critical of the changes, saying they would criminalize homelessness.
Council member Mike Hoheisel proposed an amendment to lower the fine to a maximum of $20 and eliminate the punishment of 30 days in jail. Council member J.V. Johnston said that would take away a tool for the court system to consider. The motion failed 3-4, with only Hoheisel, Council member Brandon Johnson and Vice Mayor Maggie Ballard as the supporters.
Council member Brandon Johnson voted against the changes, saying it doesn’t address the concerns that have been raised, and there is still a lack of trust in the homeless community with some refusing to go to the emergency winter shelter. He said the changes will bring about potential criminal charges against the homeless. Council member Mike Hoheisel also voted against the changes, saying the city should get recommendations from the homelessness task force, and he has also asked city staff to look at the creation of a homeless court.
Council member J.V. Johnston noted that many homeless people have refused to go to the emergency shelter even when police are urging them to do so on cold nights. He said he wants to see people get the help they need, even if they don’t know they need it. Council member Becky Tuttle said the changes will make the city ordinance less punitive and she said she does not want to put people in jail, but she said homelessness is a crisis that is worth intervention, and the goal is to get people to shelter and services.
The vote was 4-3, with Ballard, Johnson and Hoheisel voting against it.
