The Newton City Council is addressing issues related to those who are homeless, with a proposed Public Camping Ordinance. The proposed ordinance unanimously passed a first reading during Monday night’s city council meeting. Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess said the city has been challenged for years by homeless individuals. However, in recent years, he says the problems have really escalated from people living in cars, hotels, and dilapidated buildings and sheds, to having them setting up camps in driveways, on sidewalks, and in parks and entrances to public buildings.

“It’s those latter circumstances that are causing the biggest challenges. I know Library Director Nicole Terry mentioned she had a couple living in the entryway to the library over Thanksgiving break. They defecated and urinated and trashed the entryway while the library was closed. That’s just one example of many that we deal with on a regular basis.”

Under the proposed ordinance, an officer, prior to issuing any citation, is to determine if the violation is due to homelessness. If that is the case, the officer is to determine if there is available overnight shelter to accommodate the subject. If the officer determines that there is no available overnight shelter, the officer shall not issue a citation unless it is a repeat offense. But if the officer determines that there is available overnight shelter, they may, within his or her discretion, provide directions to the shelter or offer transportation to the shelter. Any individual who refuses to accept the shelter space offered is subject to a citation, which is a simple misdemeanor with a fine up to $105.

A second reading of the proposed ordinance will be on the agenda for the next Newton City Council Meeting on January 19th.