Phoenix’s City Council has greenlit a tough new ordinance to curb urban camping, effective September 1, 2024. This move aims to protect public spaces by restricting camping near schools, shelters, and parks.
According to Phoenix City Code: Section 23-30, it is unlawful for any person to camp in or on any city-owned or controlled park, preserve, building, facility, parking lot, or structure. This new ordinance states that camping within 500 feet of schools, child care facilities, shelters, or city parks is illegal, provided reasonable notice of the prohibition is posted. This measure aims to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children and individuals in shelters, from potential disruptions or safety hazards posed by nearby camping activities.Camping is described, by the City Council, as using real property in the city for living accommodation purposes, including sleeping, laying down bedding, storing personal belongings, making fires, or using tents, shelters, or vehicles for sleeping. The ordinance includes cooking activities, digging, or any earth-breaking activities as part of camping.
Any person convicted of violating this section is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. For a first offense, the fine imposed cannot exceed one hundred dollars.
Commander Brian Freudenthal of the Phoenix Police Force spoke at yesterday’s hearing and discussed the future actions taken by members of the Phoenix Police Force under this new ordinance. Freudenthal stated, “If somebody’s within 500 feet of the school this isn’t going to eliminate the fact that we are going to still move forward and try to connect that individual to shelter. We’re still going to go through that whole process.” However, if the individual is in noncompliance with the orders of the officers, a fine will be imposed.
Councilwoman Laura Pastor of District 4 later raised questions regarding the efficiency of a program that fines individuals and their families who may be unable to pay a fine of this nature and whether the city would see repeat offenders of this ordinance. She supposed, “The courts are gonna get overloaded- they’re already overloaded…[Unhoused people] sign a fee and then they’re off on their merry way and then we start all over again.”
The ordinance will become effective on September 1, 2024, giving the city time to post notices and inform the public about the new regulations. This measure aims to balance the needs of public space users with the city’s commitment to maintaining safe and orderly public areas.
