On Oct. 21, the Tacoma City Council approved a proposal to expand the city’s camping ban by adding a significant number of areas in which homeless encampments are not allowed.
Council member John Hines, who sponsored the expansion, has said the policy is about keeping public areas open and accessible, but other council members and homeless advocates opposed the move.
The proposal was passed by a 5-4 vote. Hines was joined by colleagues Sarah Rumbaugh, Sandesh Sadalge, Kristina Walker and Mayor Victoria Woodards in voting in favor of the proposal. Council members Olgy Diaz, Joe Bushnell, Jamika Scott, and Deputy Mayor Kiara Daniels voted against it…