Cities across the country have addressed homelessness by banning what they call urban camping. Casa Grande is implementing such an ordinance Wednesday, Oct. 1, which allows the city to cite or even arrest people illegally camping on public property such as city parks and sidewalks.
The city says the ordinance is needed to keep public spaces safe and also to address a state law passed last year that allows property owners to recoup some cleanup costs if their local government doesn’t address qualifying nuisances. Under the law that includes illegal camping or panhandling.
Exceptions to the ordinance include having a permit, or if a relief worker or government agency sets up temporary structures in an emergency situation.
Belongings left in public spaces after a warning and 24 hour period may also be seized by the city. Casa Grande’s ordinance also outlaws anyone to refuse to give identification after a peace officer’s request.
The city’s mayor says individuals experiencing homelessness will be “treated with dignity and connected to the resources they need.”
