Police chief proposes ordinance to ban camping in undesignated public areas

Chief Hedland told the East Grand Forks City Council on Tuesday that the city is preparing an ordinance to prohibit camping in undesignated public areas, such as stretches of the greenway and other public property not set aside for camping.

"We don't have a huge issue here in Grand Forks, but there certainly is a problem with people occasionally camping in some areas where you're not supposed to be," Chief Hedland said, explaining that the proposal tracks ordinances recently adopted in Grand Forks and Fargo and grew out of interdepartmental discussions last year.

City Attorney Mr. Golstead told councilmembers the draft follows typical municipal practice in treating the offense as a misdemeanor. "Misdemeanors are statutory 90 days in jail, $1,000 fine or both," he said, adding the figures represent the statutory cap and that the council can adopt lower fines or classify an offense as a petty misdemeanor with no jail time and a smaller fine.

Council members questioned enforceability and the practical effect of high statutory caps. Mayor Olstead and other councilmembers noted that many people who sleep outdoors will not be able to pay large fines and asked whether the ordinance is meant primarily as a deterrent and a tool for officers to secure compliance. Chief Hedland said the intent is to provide an enforcement option and an incentive to move on individuals who refuse voluntary requests to leave.

The council did not vote on the ordinance at the work session; staff said the proposal would return for further review with suggested penalty language and implementation detail.

The city framed the measure as a public‑safety and nuisance tool for areas that are not designated for camping; officials emphasized discretion in enforcement and the option to set lower fines or administrative penalties.

Next steps: staff will refine penalty language and return the draft ordinance for additional council consideration.