Public criticism and council defenses follow Hagerstown ordinance that prohibits sleeping in public

Dozens of residents and business owners told the Mayor and City Council of Hagerstown on July 22 that an ordinance prohibiting sleeping and camping in public will criminalize people experiencing homelessness without providing sufficient shelter or services.

Curtis Ray, a Hagerstown resident, told the council he supported measures to address public drug use and encampments but said "we actually need to try and address this issue and not just have people scared to bring their kids outside." He said many people in public spaces are still using drugs and that existing nonprofit services require sobriety, which prevents some people from accessing shelter.

Several other speakers echoed that position. Jack Trumbull, who moved to Hagerstown six months ago, said the city has limited shelter capacity and long waits for housing assistance and asked, "Why are we finding them when they don't have anywhere to go?" Gwendolyn McGrath, a former homeowner, told the council that the ordinance "is effectively creating an additional crisis by taking people that don't have any resources and assessing fines and involving them with law enforcement." She said shelters often require occupants to vacate during the day and that enforcement without capacity for shelter would push people into more precarious situations.

Council members and public safety staff responded that the ordinance — approved by the council on July 8 and noted in the meeting as effective Aug. 8 — is intended as a narrowly targeted enforcement tool. Councilwoman Burnett said the ordinance had been discussed at multiple meetings dating back to April and that "we approved the ordinance on July 8". Council members described the measure as a first step that must be paired with resource development.

Chief Kiefer of the Hagerstown Police Department described enforcement as resource oriented, not punitive, and said the department already has a civilian employee assigned to outreach work, Ashley Rausch. "We have no interest in locking people up or charging people with crime under this ordinance," Chief Kiefer said, according to the transcript, adding that staff estimate the ordinance would apply to about 10 people a year in the city on the rare occasions when voluntary compliance is not possible.

Council and staff emphasized complementary steps they said are planned or under way: a logistics approach that includes outreach and referrals, discussion of rent‑related policies, seeking additional shelter resources and collaborative work with nonprofit partners. Council members also said the council will monitor implementation and consider a limited trial period: one speaker on the dais described the ordinance as having a six‑month sunset for the council and police to gather data and reassess.

Ending

Public commenters urged expanded shelter capacity and noncriminal alternatives; elected officials said enforcement would be a narrowly used tool and pledged follow‑up work with partners. The council recorded no new vote on the ordinance at the July 22 meeting; the transcript shows public comment and staff explanation and direction to monitor outcomes.