San Diego votes to ban homeless encampments
- The ban allows for arrests after two citations
- The encampments are banned regardless of shelter bed availability
- About 2,000 people live on sidewalks and in vehicles in downtown San Diego
Homeless people line up outside a warming shelter in Portland, December 27, 2021 (KOIN)
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SAN DIEGO (NewsNation) — The San Diego City Council on Tuesday voted to ban homeless encampments on public property in a controversial move after hours of testimony from residents.
The final vote from the city council was 5-4.
Enforcement, according to NewsNation affiliate KSWB-TV in San Diego, will consist of a three-step approach:
- 1. Offering a shelter and giving education about the ordinance
- 2. Offering shelter and education again, as well as the issuance of a misdemeanor citation
- 3. The person will be offered a shelter bed yet again, but an arrest would be made
According to The La Jolla Light, encampments would be banned in multiple areas — regardless of the availability of shelter beds.
The highly-debated vote comes after a new report showed a 32% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the City of San Diego, with a record number of 2,100 people living on sidewalks and in vehicles in the downtown region, according to KSWB-TV.
