Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Springfield City Council received strong, even angry, reaction Tuesday night to a proposed ordinance that would ban public camping. The criticism is that it’s an attempt to criminalize homelessness.

The ordinance was proposed by Mayor Misty Buscher and Ward 5 Alderwoman Lakeisha Purchase. Buscher said the ordinance was up for emergency passage after a camper died from an overdose two weeks ago and another camper was run over last week. “The Springfield Police Department was concerned about the safety of the campers.  So, contrary to what you’re hearing in the community, campers’ lives are in danger.”

Corporation Counsel Greg Moredock said the proposed ordinance does not punish the status of being homeless, rather it prohibits public camping throughout the city and is equally applicable to individuals without regard of their housing status. “That is my analysis. It is also the analysis of Supreme Court of the United States.” Moredock said inhabitants would be encouraged to accept shelter, drug treatment or mental health care.

As part of the plan to transition the homeless away from camping, SPD Chief Ken Scarlette said the city’s community care coordinator will assist the unhoused. Shannon Allen is filling that role currently, and Scarlette said her responsibility is to seek out homeless individuals and provide them services so they can get a job. Some of the things she may assist someone with include securing housing, bus tickets, a driver’s license, and a social security card. “All the things we take for granted as a normal course of business, homeless people need help with,” said Scarlette.

Tabitha Griggs of Intricate Minds, a community center that advocates for harm reduction practices, told Alderwoman Purchase that there aren’t as many people camped out at North Grand and Fifth Street as she believes. “You said 30, 40, 50 people…lies. There are 15 max at any given time, and I’m there all day, every day.”

Advocates for the homeless said criminalizing homelessness will not resolve the situation and will only make it worse. The ordinance was up for emergency passage, but the council sent it back to committee.