Worcester County adopts criminal penalties for camping on county property after public hearing

Worcester County Commissioners voted unanimously May 20 to adopt Bill 25-02, an amendment to county code that makes camping and sleeping on county property a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a fine and that clarifies a process for removing personal property stored or abandoned on county land. The measure passed after a public hearing and a period of public comment that included law enforcement, county social-services staff and outreach providers.

The county attorney, Roscoe Leslie, told the board the ordinance makes “violations a criminal offense, misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a fine,” and also “clarifies a process for removing personal property that is stored or abandoned on county property.” Leslie said he had worked on the draft with the state's attorney and the sheriff’s office and the bill incorporates input from prior work sessions.

Sheriff Chris Foley told commissioners the ordinance provides “a tool for law enforcement” when outreach and voluntary interventions fail. “This ordinance is an additional tool…