Council refers proposed no-camping ordinance amendment after wide public opposition

The Salem City Council on Thursday referred a proposed amendment to the city's no-camping ordinance to the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment co-posted with the Committee of the Whole, scheduling a committee hearing for April 15 at 6 p.m.

The amendment under consideration would alter enforcement timing and property-retention rules for encampments, including shortening the time before removal from 72 hours to 12 hours in some circumstances and allowing sweeps when shelter is not available, according to public comments and speakers.

Public testimony at the meeting featured many residents and service providers who urged the council not to pass the amendment as written. Jess Tower said allowing police to sweep encampments “when there is no other shelter available is extremely inhumane” and warned that the city's own shelter list had not been updated as required. Skyler Clark, whose address was given as 282 Derby Street, noted that many unhoused people are trans and said, “Homeless rights are trans rights and trans rights are human rights.” Several speakers described negative mental-health impacts and deaths following prior sweeps.

Councilor Cohen moved to refer the ordinance amendment to the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment, co-posted with the Committee of the Whole; council approved the referral and set the hearing date. Council and public commenters emphasized that evidence-based housing and wraparound services are the recommended policy response from several speakers, including mental-health professionals and outreach workers.

Ending: The committee will hold a public hearing on the amendment on April 15 at 6 p.m. in the council chamber, where councilors and the public will have an opportunity to offer testimony and for staff to present details on operational implementation and any proposed changes.