The Columbus Council is considering an ordinance prohibiting camping on public property, which critics worry would criminalize homelessness.
This ordinance, which was up for the first reading during Tuesday’s council meeting, would make it unlawful for anyone to camp or store personal property on public property. It also would make it illegal for people to sit, stand, lie down or use personal property in a way that would interfere with individuals entering or exiting buildings, driveways, streets, alleys or any other property that has a limited number of entrances or exits, no matter if it is owned by the city, public property or privately owned.
Individuals must have received an oral or written warning before they can be arrested for violating the ordinance. If someone fails to comply with the warning within one hour, then they may be arrested…