Wilmington City Council is reviewing an ordinance that would restrict public camping. It defines camping as setting up materials on public property for more than 24 hours. A person engaging in camping must move themselves and their property to a “different authorized City property, for at least 24 hours,” as stated in the legislation. The ordinance prohibits sleeping on public sidewalks, streets, and alleyways. The penalties escalate from citations to a court hearing, where individuals may be given grace if they pursued assistance after a violation. Individuals convicted of violations may receive a “minor misdemeanor” and a $50 fine.
Residents have mixed opinions. Jason Stoops, a local business owner, stated, “We need a camping ordinance, but this is not it. This has no leverage, it has no bite.” He shared that individuals camp behind his business at night and leave by morning, an issue not solved by the ordinance. Contrary to this, Patricia Thomas, a Hope House volunteer, stated, “...That criminal record becomes a part of who you are and it makes it even harder to get a place to live, to get a job, because you’ve got this record.” She urged the city to take a more helpful approach, rather than a punitive one.
According to Mayor Pat Haley, the language in the ordinance is due to a 2024 Supreme Court case. The court ruled that removing homeless individuals from public property as specified by "generally applicable laws” was not considered cruel and unusual punishment as defined by the 8th Amendment, making it constitutional. After explaining this, Haley also stated, “The purpose of the ordinance is not to make the homeless, or an addict, or even someone mentally ill, a criminal. What it’s supposed to do is focus on the behaviors, not on the status of the individual.”
The Wilmington City Council Judiciary Committee plans to have a Special Meeting to review the ordinance before moving forward. Learn more at wilmingtonohio.gov.