"FREMONT - A lawsuit that tied up Fremont's controversial camping ban has been withdrawn, paving the way for the city to begin enforcing it at homeless encampments. It all started on Feb. 11, when the Fremont City Council approved one of the strictest camping bans anywhere in the region and California. On the same day the lawsuit was filed on March 4, the council walked back a clause that would have allowed county prosecutors to criminally charge anyone caught "aiding and abetting" homeless residents."
"The ban on camping on Fremont city streets was supposed to go into effect on March 13, but was paused at the recommendation of a federal judge, which city leaders did not contest. On Sept. 5, the lawyer representing several faith-based organizations and homeless residents dropped the lawsuit, claiming a "political" win in the case because public outrage influenced the city to remove the "aiding and abetting" clause."
On Feb. 11 Fremont City Council approved one of the region's strictest camping bans. The council removed a clause that would have allowed county prosecutors to criminally charge anyone caught 'aiding and abetting' homeless residents. A lawsuit filed March 4 paused enforcement of the ordinance set to take effect March 13 after a federal judge recommended a pause. On Sept. 5 the attorney for faith-based organizations and homeless residents withdrew the lawsuit, calling the clause removal a political victory. City spokeswoman Geneva Bosques said the city is pleased, will prioritize encampments posing health or safety risks, and hopes Measure W funding will aid stable housing. Bosques said the city has not issued citations or arrests under the camping ordinance since its adoption.
Read at The Mercury News
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]