by Ashley Archibald
(This article originally appeared at KNKX and has been reprinted under an agreement.)
The Auburn City Council voted Monday, April 19, to criminalize camping on public property, a change with consequences that will largely fall on people experiencing homelessness.
Those cited under the new law face a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The measure departs from an ordinance passed in September 2020 that made the offense a civil infraction that could come with a fine of $250. In a report, city staff wrote that six months of experience and the impending launch of the Auburn Community Court made this the right time to revisit the city’s approach.
Continue reading Auburn Votes to Criminalize Camping on Public Property