JACKSONVILLE, Ark. – The homeless in Arkansas are finding fewer options as ordinances banning public camping are beginning to spread.
The Supreme Court upheld city bans for camping outdoors in public places this June when it issued an opinion in Grants Pass v. Johnson. Jacksonville passed its version in July. As a response, Ward followed in August.
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Cabot also began the process in August with additional readings and votes to follow. During the first council meeting discussing the ban, Cabot Police Chief Scott Steely implied Jacksonville’s decision impacted them down Highway 67-167.
“We have seen an influx over the last few weeks,” he said.
Jacksonville, Cabot and Ward do not have shelters of their own. One non-profit for the homeless in Little Rock questions what these ordinances are trying to achieve.
The Van in Little Rock works to provide services & resources to people experiencing homelessness in the area. Founder Aaron Reddin said his team has seen people who need items like clothes & toiletries after the few possessions they had were destroyed when city’s dismantled homeless camps. That’s why Reddin said the Supreme Court’s decision in June to uphold bans on public camping did not surprise him.