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Council reviews homelessness response; staff urges cautious alignment with regional ordinances
Summary
Town staff and the police chief described Little Elm’s current camping ordinance and the limits of local authority to compel treatment, recommending cautious alignment with neighboring cities’ rules on ‘physical occupancy’ while avoiding overreach.
Colin, a town staff member leading the workshop, told the council the town’s ordinance currently regulates recreational camping only — requiring a permit per tent and limiting camping to four days in a 30-day period — and does not criminalize "physical occupancy" such as sitting or sleeping in public. He contrasted Little Elm’s approach with nearby McKinney and others that have added rules aimed at sitting or lying in defined downtown areas.
The town’s police chief described the real-world challenges officers face when they encounter unhoused residents, saying such calls often “turn into a medical call” and that many people the department meets are dealing with mental-health issues. “There’s no way currently by law to compel them to get help,” the chief said, adding that officers will offer resources but cannot legally force treatment.
Why it matters: Council members stressed the need to balance public-safety concerns, residents’ complaints about encampments and the town’s limited legal tools. Several members warned against “overreach,” noting that criminalizing behavior without services can simply displace people to neighboring jurisdictions. Staff said any move to adopt a McKinney-style physical-occupancy ordinance would require careful legal definitions and additional implementation planning, including exceptions for disability and medical emergencies.
What’s next: Colin said staff would take the feedback under advisement and return with options. Council did not take formal action at the meeting.
