MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — City councilors in Morgantown are likely to pass the proposed camping ban during their regular meeting Tuesday. The new Article 1157 to the city code entitled “Camping on Public Property” passed on a 4 to 3 vote on August 20 after first being proposed on July 2.
The article makes it illegal to camp or store personal property in areas within city limits not designed or managed for camping. A first offense comes with a written warning; a second offense can result in a fine of up to $200; and the third offense could result in a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail.
Morgantown Seventh Ward Councilor Brian Butcher believes the proposal is not practical and cannot be enforced.
“I’ve spoken to several police officers who are confused on how they would enforce it,” Butcher said. “So, I hope those more intentional conversations when we’re policymaking can happen in the future.”
“I hope we can move on from this and have better conversations around policies that we are trying to enact rather than just trying to force them through,” Butcher said.
Butcher has been one of many supporting a “housing first” model. “Housing first” prioritizes getting people into permanent housing ahead of job training, getting a job, and substance abuse treatment.
This ordinance would push people into the legal system, according to Butcher, and thereby further and further away from being qualified to be housed. Also, while the city works to make more beds available,
“We’ve also seen plenty of data that would suggest the ordinance we’re proposing, when it’s been imposed in other places, doesn’t have any effect; in fact, it usually makes it worse for the kinds of issues we say we’re trying to address with it,” Butcher said.
Rather than a ban on camping, Butcher has suggested a practice called “hot spotting.” “Hot spotting surges law enforcement assets into known crime areas to deter criminal activity. The concentrated presence can increase the opportunities for community policing and to develop relationships with those in need of services.
“A police task force specifically for the downtown area and especially for increased patrolling, specifically foot patrols throughout that area,” Butcher said. “And instituting more community buy-in in those areas would be a first step.”
If the ordinance does pass Tuesday and Butcher believes it likely will, he’ll continue his work as one of the most outspoken members of council for the rights of the homeless.
“Keep trying to work toward the solutions I’ve put forward, the eight or nine ordinances that I’ve asked to be on the agenda that haven’t made it for years now,” Butcher said.
City council meets in City Hall on Spruce Street at 7 p.m.