After confusion over whether a series of laws passed in August that target those experiencing homelessness chronically are civil or criminal infractions, the Sparks City Council voted unanimously to clarify those ordinances as criminal misdemeanors.
The ordinance passed Monday sought to clear up language in the recent law that restricts unhoused people sleeping on sidewalks and in vehicles to reiterate that violating those offenses can carry a penalty of up to six months and jail and a $1,000 fine, according to Nevada Current .
Senior Assistant City Attorney Mariah Northington said the ordinance could be used to funnel chronically unhoused folks into a community court where they could either accept services or potentially face jail time.
“There are situations where these may result in an arrest in situations involving people who refuse to identify themselves or have a history of not complying with community courts,” Northington said.
“It is our attempt and hope to use this as a way to further nudge them toward getting resources.”