Local homeless shelter officials are weighing in on the camping ban that’s now in effect in New Philadelphia.
Friends of the homeless board president Joe Svancara says they knew city council would be considering legislation to make camping out on city property a misdemeanor offense.
They just never expected it would pass as an emergency with no further discussion.
“We generally feel like it would have been better if we were consulted about this. If we were given the opportunity to work and give some of our expertise on the situation in order to help and to develop an ordinance that may have been a little bit more better and allowed us to more easily work with the city in some of the issues that they’re dealing with.”
The measure that council adopted Monday prohibits camping in the city’s parks and cemeteries; on streets, sidewalks, or alleys; and within adjacent entryways.
Svancara says they’re disappointed and feel there’s a better solution but remain committed to partnering with the city to help those in need.
City officials must post a notice 24 hours before removing any campsite and provide the location to a local agency delivering social services to homeless individuals.
Friends of the homeless is in the midst of a 4.5-million capital campaign to build a larger and more modern shelter behind the current one on east high avenue.
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