The Fremont City Council approved a contentious ordinance banning camping on public property, following extensive debate. The 5-1 vote included provisions against 'aiding or abetting' homeless encampments, provoking concerns from nonprofits about potential legal consequences for providing basic supplies. However, city officials clarified that individuals would not be penalized for distributing food or water unless it constituted shelter. Critics argue that the ban merely relocates homeless individuals without offering real solutions to the homelessness crisis in Fremont, prompting significant backlash against the council's decision.
"It says that you can't camp on public property and that you cannot store your property on public property so those are the violating acts," Fremont City Attorney Rafael Alvarado Jr. said. "...So if you aid and abet those acts, then you could be subject to penalty under this ordinance."
Opponents of the ban argue, "This is not a solution, we have no solution with this, all we're doing is moving them around, moving them from place to place," highlighting the concerns over effectiveness.
Nonprofits like Abode Services expressed concern, stating this is the most encompassing, strictest ban they've seen so far, giving police complete authority.
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