Abbeville adopts ordinance banning sleeping on public property, council pairs enforcement with services

The Abbeville City Council on Aug. 5 adopted an amendment to the municipal code to prohibit sleeping on public property.

Councilman Bruce introduced the ordinance citing repeated calls about people sleeping in the square and other public locations. Police Chief Mike Pardon told the council officers have identified roughly 20 people who are unhoused in the city during routine counts and cautioned that enforcement requires judgment to avoid criminalizing people receiving services.

Council discussion emphasized pairing enforcement with services. The mayor and several council members described an administrative "Hope to Home" initiative to provide limited, restricted funding for transport or assistance for people who voluntarily accept services; the mayor said the first such expense had been under $500. Council members stressed officers should use discretion when dealing with people who are transient or seeking shelter and that the city is working to create pathways to shelters or services.

The ordinance passed after debate; council members said they expect to use the new enforcement authority sparingly and in coordination with social‑service options that the city is developing.

Next steps: the city attorney and staff will finalize enforcement guidance and coordinate the Hope to Home outreach and funding mechanism.