The Allen City Council approves a new ordinance that prohibits sleeping or camping in most public and semi-public spaces across the city.
The measure applies to streets, sidewalks, parking lots and garages, and common areas of apartment buildings and offices, and also makes it illegal to sleep inside vehicles parked in those locations.
City officials say the ordinance is aimed at addressing public safety, sanitation, and access concerns in shared spaces. Enforcement is expected to focus on moving people out of restricted areas rather than immediate punishment, with outreach and referrals to services emphasized before citations…