A rich New Jersey metropolis is contemplating a controversial ordinance that will high-quality or probably jail homeless folks for sleeping in public areas.
Summit Councilman Jamel Boyer, a Republican, launched the ordinance Tuesday at a Summit Frequent Council assembly, saying its goal is to “preserve the safe and accessible use of public property for all residents, pedestrians, and businesses.”
The ordinance would prohibit unhoused people from tenting in public areas resembling metropolis streets, sidewalks, alleyways, parks, bus shelters, athletic courts, and benches.
Violators may face a high-quality of as much as $2,000 “and/or imprisonment or community service for a term not to exceed ninety days,” the order says.
Boyer mentioned the ordinance “addresses the growing concerns about obstructions and public nuisances caused by encampments while ensuring our shared spaces remain clean, safe and welcoming for the community.”
Councilmember Claire Toth, a Democrat, was the one member of the six-person council to oppose the ordinance.
“After two years of significant progress on reducing homelessness in Summit, capped by our receiving national recognition at the recent National Alliance to End Homelessness conference in Los Angeles, this moves us in the wrong direction,” she mentioned on the assembly.
In response, Boyer mentioned the ordinance “is not about criminalizing homelessness.”
“It’s about doing the right thing; we want to prevent homelessness, not maintain it,” he mentioned.
Morristown launched the same ordinance in February however pulled it following group backlash. Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty mentioned on the time that he requested the council to rethink the movement after receiving suggestions from advocacy teams and the group, NJ.com reported.
“As the county seat, Morristown is often unfortunately forced to bear a disproportionately high burden of trying to resolve challenges created by regional needs with limited local resources,” he mentioned.
“After thoughtful reflection and listening to feedback from community members and advocates, I have asked the Council President and he has agreed to withdraw this ordinance from further consideration,” he added.
The Summit council president mentioned the ordinance can be addressed at an April 22 listening to.
The town’s effort to cut back the homeless inhabitants was acknowledged on the Nationwide Alliance to Finish Homelessness convention in March.
Boyer and Toth didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon Monday.
