Chillicothe council hears hours of public comment on proposed anti‑camping law; motion to table fails

Chillicothe City Council members on Monday heard more than an hour of public comment on a proposed ordinance that would add Chapter 5.55, “Prohibited Camping,” to the city code, then rejected a motion to table the measure and left the ordinance at its second reading for later consideration.

The proposed ordinance — presented to council as Item 11 on the agenda — would create a notice-and-removal process for camping on public property. Supporters said the measure protects property users and connects people experiencing homelessness to services; opponents said it would criminalize homelessness and asked council to pause work until more shelter and services are in place.

The debate drew a lengthy public‑comment turnout. Connie Scott, who identified herself as a Chillicothe resident, told council she supported the ordinance as written and said it improves on the current trespass law by providing a 72‑hour notice period and requiring police to notify an on‑staff social worker. “They have 72 hours to move their items,” Scott said. “The police . . . are supposed to notify a social worker who is on staff already at the police department to connect with this camper so the camper can be informed of where they can get shelter, where they can get help.”

Other speakers described outreach work already under way. “We meet them where they are,” said Melanie Yep, who identified herself as the coordinator of the homeless outreach team for Ross County Community Action. Yep listed medical, benefits and referral services the outreach team provides and said volunteers and partner agencies routinely try to link…