FREMONT, Calif. (KRON) — The Fremont City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a controversial homeless camping ban. Along with preventing camping anywhere in public, the measure would punish people who help the homeless.
If approved, the ordinance would prevent homeless people from camping on public property. That includes parks, streets and sidewalks.
More than 800 homeless people are living in Fremont, according to the city’s latest count in 2024.
The measure would also target anyone who is “causing, permitting, aiding, abetting or concealing” a homeless encampment. In Fremont, that would become a misdemeanor, which could lead to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.
The measure does not clarify what the city means by “aiding” and “abetting.”
Opponents are urging council members to vote no.
“To criminalize an already vulnerable population is not the best we are nor the best we can be as a community,” community organization Compassionate Fremont wrote on social media.
The Fremont Police Association supports the ban. “Repeatedly dealing with some of these individuals can unnecessarily place firefighters and police officers in harms way,” the organization said on social media. “The passage of this ordinance allows the public safety experts to appropriately address public safety issues while still proving resources to our unhoused community members.”
The ban is up for a final vote Tuesday at the 6 p.m. Fremont City Council meeting.
FREMONT, Calif. (KRON) — The Fremont City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a controversial homeless camping ban. Along with preventing camping anywhere in public, the measure would punish people who help the homeless. If approved, the ordinance would prevent homeless people from camping on public property. That includes parks, streets and sidewalks. More […]
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