Wichita City Council to vote on new homeless camping rules, easing fines and cleanup timelines.

Wichita City Council plans to vote on a revised illegal camping ordinance on December 17th, aiming to address homelessness concerns. The new ordinance will allow quicker cleanup in public areas like sidewalks and bus shelters, while providing a 48-hour grace period in less visible spots. It reduces the maximum fine for violations from $500 to $200 and encourages the use of community service. The update follows a Supreme Court ruling that permits cities to enforce bans on sleeping outdoors, even without available shelter space. The changes are part of broader efforts to manage crimes linked to homelessness.

4 months ago
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