The Brockton City Council has passed new ordinances targeting homeless individuals by banning public sleeping, camping, and loitering, raising concerns among advocates and members of the community. In a close vote yesterday night, the council decided to prohibit sleeping on public property at any time or camping on streets, sidewalks, parks, or bridges, as reported by
MassLive
. Violators could face removal, fines reaching hundreds of dollars, and criminal complaints.
The first ordinance imposes a $200 fine for camping on public property along with the removal of campsites. The second implements a $50 fine for public loitering. City Councilor Jeffrey Thompson, who sponsored the ordinances, claimed the focus of these laws is public safety and not a targeted effort to criminalize the homeless. “We cannot have encampments on our sidewalks, under our bridges, in the areas that our children walk to go to school,” Thompson said, as detailed by a
Boston 25 News
article. Concerns have been voiced over behaviors including intoxication, verbal abuse, and threats to public safety.
However, the measures have faced sturdy opposition from other city councilors and advocates who believe the ordinances are both inhumane and counterproductive. Councilor Jean-Bradley Derenoncourt condemned the new laws as “immoral” and “morally wrong,” stating, “You cannot kick someone on the teeth when they’ve already been down,” according to a
Boston 25 News
interview. Councilor Susan Nicastro highlighted the insufficiency of the local shelters and the impracticality of fining those who cannot pay, further criticizing the ordinances’ lack of empathy towards the homeless population.
Councilor Winthrop Farwell, Jr., while acknowledging the issues of human waste, trash, and drug use on public properties, called for more state assistance in addressing the city’s mental health and housing problems. “I’m not convinced this ordinance is going to do what we want to do,” Farwell said, citing the difficulty in tracking individuals without permanent addresses for court appearances, as captured by a
Boston 25 News
report. The concern that fines would merely displace homeless individuals away from essential services was echoed by many, including Alex Hoxie, a former homeless individual who now runs a local business called Clean City Crew.
Despite the differing opinions on the council, the ordinances now await the mayor’s approval or rejection. As more information becomes available in this developing story, the community awaits to see how these laws will impact both public safety concerns and the wellbeing of its most vulnerable residents.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply