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Council amends camping ordinance; police say officers will continue offering services when feasible
Summary
The City of Venice amended rules on camping and storing property on public land, removing a code provision that required officers to offer shelter location and a ride prior to enforcement. The change passed 5'to—; one councilmember opposed.
The Venice City Council amended Chapter 46 (Parks and Recreation) on May 20 to revise definitions and the prohibition on camping and storage of personal property on public property. The amendment passed 5'to— after a councilmember objected to removing language that had required officers to tell someone the location of a shelter and to offer them a ride before enforcement action.
Why it matters: Council and staff framed the change as a response to practical enforcement limitations. Police and staff said officers will still provide services and shelter referrals when feasible, but the previously codified shelter-offer requirement sometimes hampered enforcement when shelters were unavailable at night.
What staff said: Captain Lewis White, Venice Police Department, told council the change was intended to make enforcement workable in situations when no shelter is available; he said officers "still will offer services if needed" and that the department will address the practice in policy and training.
Council debate: Councilmember Smith said he objected to removing the provision because the city's recent efforts to work with people experiencing homelessness (including a designated social worker) make the shelter-offer language appropriate, and he therefore voted against final adoption. Councilmember Frank asked staff to clarify that the ordinance does not require arrest solely for homelessness; Captain White confirmed enforcement would not be simply arresting people for being homeless.
Outcome and next steps: Ordinance 2025-13 was adopted 5'to—. Staff said the police department will update its policies and training to reflect the code change and will continue outreach and referrals. Council requested staff follow up on operational details and the timing of any policy updates.
Ending: The council's vote adjusts the municipal code to align enforcement expectations with current shelter availability and department capacity; dissent highlighted a continuing policy tension between enforcement practicability and a preference for required outreach to people on public property.
Sources: Discussion recorded in the May 20 meeting: Captain Lewis White (police), Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Frank, and city attorney/staff members.
