ATLANTA — Atlanta’s mayor says falling on hard times is not a crime.
So, Andre Dickens says the city will not be fining and locking people up for sleeping in homeless encampments. He made that statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled cities have the right to ban homeless encampments and arrest those who sleep outdoors in public places.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Jones got reaction from a homeless encampment near the Fulton County Courthouse.
“Some people, they choose not to go to shelters,” James Robinson said.
Robinson says he is not homeless. He says he is displaced. Jones asked him what he thought about court’s decision that allows cities to ban homeless encampments.
“I’m saying if you’re going to remove them, put them somewhere. Because some people do not have families. Some people have issues that they are dealing with,” he said.
There are homeless encampments in several locations around Atlanta. Like under the I-20 bridge at Pryor Street. Now, the high court say they can be fined and arrested for sleeping outdoors in public spaces.