The Brief
- The Renton City Council will vote on a proposed ordinance to ban homeless encampments on public property.
- Violators could face up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine under proposed misdemeanor penalties.
- The vote follows a Supreme Court ruling permitting camping bans, though critics argue the policy just displaces unhoused people.
RENTON, Wash. – The Renton City Council is set to vote on a proposed ordinance that would ban homeless encampments on public property, marking the latest Washington municipality to consider such measures.
The upcoming vote follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which overturned a previous circuit court decision and allowed local governments to enforce public camping bans.
Proposed Penalties and Restrictions
What they’re saying:
Under the proposed ordinance, several actions on city property would be classified as misdemeanors:
- Camping on city property
- Storing personal belongings on city property
- Failing to leave city property promptly when ordered by an authorized official
- Possessing or abandoning a shopping cart on city property
Violators could face up to 90 days in jail, a maximum fine of $1,000, or both.
Focus on Public Health and Safety
The draft legislation highlights growing concerns over public parks and associated property crime, citing numerous complaints from residents. …