Columbus council advances amendment to camping ban requiring 24‑hour notice amid worries about criminalizing homelessness

Columbus City Council on July 22 approved an amendment to a proposed ordinance that would prohibit camping on public property, adding a requirement that “a minimum of 24 hours shall be allotted prior to such removal and transport of such property.” The measure was proposed and explained by Councilor Charmaine Crabb; the amendment passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Councilors and members of the public spent more than an hour debating the proposal and its consequences. Several residents and advocates warned that clearing outdoor encampments without adequate housing or services would push people into more precarious situations. Amy Borden, a resident, told the council that clearing camps can cause people to lose identification and possessions and “pushes them into a lot of other areas, whether that's abandoned housing, whether that's setting up another encampment.”

Attorney Anthony Johnson, who works frequently with people involved in the criminal justice system, told councilors the ordinance would have real downstream effects: “ultimately ... your effect, especially long term, you are absolutely positively criminalizing homelessness,” he said, saying that bench warrants and jail stays could follow for people unable to meet new appearance or bail requirements.

Councilors described interagency steps the city intends to use before removal is carried out. Crabb said the policy is intended to coordinate police, public works and local service providers to offer alternatives before any removal: “there is a process in motion now where, the Police Department and the public works have been working together,” she said, and Pat Frey of the Homeless Network was identified as a community partner to help facilitate placement. Sergeant Katina Williams and other police staff were described repeatedly as part of an outreach task force that meets with providers to link people to services.

Supporters of stronger enforcement argued the city must weigh safety and sanitation for the whole community. Pastor Michael Sherman said churches and nonprofits want to help but warned that the city must also create long‑term housing options rather than simply moving people from place to place.

Council discussion also addressed enforcement mechanics and capacity concerns. Councilor Byron Hickey asked what would happen when jail space is limited; officials said officers can issue a principal summons instead of holding someone if the jail is full. Councilor Joanne Kogel asked staff to quantify how many people refuse placement when outreach is offered; council leaders asked Pat Frey to provide a count of frequent‑encounter individuals so the council can better understand scale.

Council members agreed the ordinance should be refined further. The measure will return for additional review and a second reading at a later meeting in August; the mayor and deputy city manager said they will meet with the police chief and public works directors to address questions about criminal procedures, citations, and improved outreach before the next council vote.

Why it matters: The ordinance would change how Columbus deals with public encampments and how local law enforcement and service providers approach people living outdoors. Supporters say it gives tools to protect public property and safety; opponents say it risks criminalizing people without providing housing or services.

Speakers quoted in this article are included in the speakers list below and spoke on the public agenda and during the ordinance discussion. Ending: Councilors emphasized the measure remains under development; the amendment adopted on July 22 sets a procedural minimum of 24 hours’ notice before removal of property but does not finalize an enforcement policy. Staff will return with more details and recommended language for second reading in August.