UPDATE: The original whistleblower in this released the data on Twitter – his account has since been suspended. Typical…

This is tyranny now. What is the world coming to when you can’t even do what you want on your own property?

Ohio, California, and Oregon are pushing for laws that would force private property owners to allow homeless people to camp out on their property. What’s worst is that if they try to do something about it, they could be arrested. I’d certainly like to know what they’d be arrested for.

Two recent court decisions surrounding homelessness may have a big impact on people sleeping on city streets. While the U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear a case about criminalizing homelessness, an appeals court ruled encampments are allowed on private property.

Kevin Finn has worked to end homelessness in Cincinnati for 21 years. He cautiously applauds the two recent court rulings that address the criminalization of sleeping on the streets.

“I don’t think there’s anything helpful about making it a criminal act for people to be sleeping outside if ultimately what we want is for people to get into housing,” said Finn.

The Supreme Court will not hear a case on a ban against homeless people sleeping in public spaces. That now means there’s a constitutional right to camp in public.

“Filing charges, making things they’re doing illegal, making their police history longer is not helpful for the long-term goal,” said Finn.

Ohio’s First District Court of Appeals says governments cannot ban homeless encampments from private property — like Hamilton County did at the New Prospect Baptist Church in 2018.

“I don’t think it’s ever a good move to ever try to criminalize people sleeping outside,” said Finn. “But at the same time, a homeless person is three times more likely to die sleeping outside on the streets, so we need to find a balance where we’re not encouraging people to sleep outside in camps either.”

Source:
Local 12