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Council hears proposal to amend urban camping ordinance after 175 calls for service in 2023; no vote
Summary
Police Chief Vidal Sipe outlined proposed amendments to Chapter 66-7 to address "urban camping," citing more than 175 calls for service in 2023; council took no action and the item will return in February for formal consideration.
Council members discussed a proposed amendment to Chapter 66-7 of the Newton City Code Jan. 9 that would create an enforcement pathway for "urban camping." Police Chief Vidal Sipe told the council the department received over 175 calls for service in 2023 related to individuals sleeping in public areas and storing personal belongings in public spaces.
Chief Sipe said officers typically ask people who are sleeping in public to move and that most comply, but he described instances where people did not comply and where the department currently has no enforcement tool. He told the council the proposed ordinance would start with a verbal warning and could allow criminal charges for repeat incidents. "There is no action to be taken at this time," Chief Sipe said; the agenda item was scheduled to return to the council in February for consideration of a formal amendment.
Council members did not adopt language or take a vote at the Jan. 9 meeting; the minutes show the matter will return to a future meeting for formal consideration. The discussion focused on the department's calls for service and the planned next step of drafting ordinance language for council review.
