COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – A city ordinance that makes it unlawful to sleep, camp or store personal belongings on city property has not resulted in any arrests since its implementation last summer, according to the Columbus Police Department.
The Columbus City Council approved the ordinance in August 2025 in a 9-1 vote, giving police the right to arrest homeless people who violate the camping ban. Many residents responded by saying they felt the ordinance would criminalize homelessness.
Instead of arrests, the police department’s community policing unit gives violators eight days to vacate city property while helping them access resources…