The Friends of the Homeless organization is objecting to a proposal under consideration in New Philadelphia.
In a statement released last Thursday, board members expressed concern and displeasure over Law Director Marvin Fete’s suggestion that camping be banned at the city’s parks.
Board president Joe Svancara says they’re disappointed but not surprised given what happened while they were trying to find a new shelter location.
“We have had some run-ins with the city about our mission, our operations, about the placement of the new shelter, which we feel demonstrates against those who we’re trying to help and against those who might be struggling in homelessness and poverty.”
Fete thinks the city should capitalize on a recent US Supreme Court decision allowing communities to criminalize certain aspects of homelessness. The case before the high court involved a camping ban in an Oregon community that Fete says was enacted to get those who refuse help off the street and into treatment.
The request was assigned to the parks and cemetery committee, which hasn’t yet scheduled its next meeting.
Svancara and other friends of the homeless board members say criminalizing homelessness does nothing to address its root causes and makes recovery even more difficult.
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