Rochester City Council Considers Camping Ban For City Parks

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester City Council could vote Monday evening on whether to adopt a new ordinance that would ban all camping in city parks and other municipal properties.

The ordinance was recommended last summer by Rochester Police Chief Jim Franklin, who described it as another tool for officers and others involved in addressing the city's homelessness problems. The Police Chief says it would help law enforcement officers to "encourage people experiencing homelessness toward greater utilization of shelter and other social services.”

Chief Franklin and city staff say, ideally, the proposed enforcement tool would be used sparingly in cases involving homeless people who have repeatedly refused housing and other services. In previous discussions concerning the issue, Rochester City Councilmember Shaun Palmer has said that description matches only around 20 to 30 people who for whatever reason reject whatever assistance they are offered.

The proposed ordinance would make the offense a misdemeanor that would carry a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1000. It also states that the proposed law would only be enforced if the person has been informed of the various services available to them, and that person has been given a warning that they are in violating the law.

It also requires that any officer seeking to enforce the ordinance confirms that some form of overnight shelter is available to that person. That would not apply in cases where a person has been kicked out of otherwise available shelter services.

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