Ancestors

Written by Sam Van Horne, Ph.D. on 2025-01-14 at 13:42

Went to my city council meeting to speak against an ordinance that would criminalize unhoused people camping on city property and enable law enforcement to fine them and dispose of their belongings. I was the only citizen there to speak and I did my best. The measure did not pass. The city solicitor--who wanted it to pass!--commented to me that I had changed some councillors' minds.

So if you think your voice won't matter in your local politics, go and speak up! I

[#]homelessness

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Written by persistentdreamergames on 2025-01-14 at 15:18

@DataAngler

What did you say to them?

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Written by Sam Van Horne, Ph.D. on 2025-01-14 at 15:32

@PersistentDreamer

You only have 5 minutes at our city council, so you need to be brief. First, I outlined how the ordinance does nothing to help the homeless--it takes a societal problem and puts it in the hands of law enforcement to deal with. I pointed out that this is especially callous given that we are in a housing crisis (and in the middle of winter!) and that the number of unhoused people in delaware is on the rise.

Next, I pointed out that the language of the bill allows (1/n)

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Written by Sam Van Horne, Ph.D. on 2025-01-14 at 15:34

@PersistentDreamer the city to just dispose of a person's belongings and relocate the person to any location. The language of the bill was very cruel.

I pointed out that how would it help to fine an unhoused person and convict them of a misdemeanor when that would hinder them from getting credit to find a place to live.

Lastly, I said that the bill is especially bad because anyone else can camp on city property (like scouts) by requesting permission, so this bill was not really about ((2/n)

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Written by Sam Van Horne, Ph.D. on 2025-01-14 at 15:38

@PersistentDreamer camping, but about criminalizing being unhoused.

I think the councillors saw that this ordinance would not do anything to address this problem.

Since SCOTUS has given towns the green light to ban homeless people from camping on city property, these bills are going to come up everywhere--especially since city councils often are rubber stamps for what property developers want, and they often want homeless people to be removed, to not see the problem. (/end)

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Toot

Written by Rickd6 on 2025-01-14 at 16:47

@DataAngler @PersistentDreamer removing them is bad enough but taking (and usually destroying) their possessions is horrendous. Kick them when they’re down BS.

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Descendants

Written by Darwin Woodka on 2025-01-14 at 17:06

@Rickd6 @DataAngler @PersistentDreamer

Happens all the time.

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