The Charlottesville City Council has tabled a proposal to make it a misdemeanor to camp on public property after a series of speakers expressed outrage at the idea.
“When I first heard about the ordinance to criminalize the homeless I was shocked, followed by absolute fury that continues to this day that you would even discuss an issue of making people who are suffering from a lack of shelter into criminals,” said Jeff Fogel at the beginning of the meeting. “It’s disgusting.”
The ordinance and accompanying protocol were developed after private talks this spring and summer between City Councilors and Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis. The public first learned about the idea when the agenda for the September 2 meeting was published.
Fogel’s comments were met with fierce applause as were those of others against the proposal during the public comment period at the beginning of that meeting…