In a narrow 7-5 vote on July 15, the Anchorage Assembly passed an ordinance that criminalizes illegal camping in public parks and property across Alaska’s largest city.
The effort was first spearheaded by the more conservative-leaning Assemblymen – Keith McCormick, Scott Myers and Jared Goecker – who introduced a more sweeping ban that was ultimately replaced by a narrower plan from Mayor Suzanne LaFrance.
The approved measure creates a buffer around protected areas like parks, trails, waterways, schools and day cares where camping is prohibited. Those who flaunt the law can now be charged with misdemeanor crimes which entail fines of up to $500 or jail time.
Additionally, there is a ban on constructing shacks and other shelters on public property, which has led to sprawling, crime infested encampments around the city.
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Despite growing concern from residents who have complained of feeling unsafe in city recreational areas, five of the most left-leaning Assembly members still voted against the ordinance. This included George Martinez, Felix Rivera, Baldwin Day, Chair Christopher Constant, Vice Chair Anna Brawley. This block argued that the measure effectively criminalizes homelessness.
Proponents, however, maintain that the city needs to be able to maintain control of public property, and the new ordinance gives police added tools to preserve law, order and safety for all residents, including those who are homeless.
13 Comments
THANK YOU, Goecker, McCormick, and Myers! Keep up the good work! And encourage some like-minded friends to run for opening seats on the Assembly! We need a flip back to sanity!
Given that the ordinance includes potential jail time and fines for illegal camping, how does the city plan to address the needs of individuals who are unhoused and unable to pay fines or access shelter – especially during times when shelters are at or over capacity? Block Blast
You mean Homeless, if the assembly would’ve let Bronson built that dome shelter on Tudor road.
Soylent Green my friend. So many problems solved.
There’s a swell cul-de-sac and park at 6th & Ocean, as well as along N St. They voted for LaFrance, I am sure they will be glad to welcome them to a new neighborhood. Elderberry & Nulbay Park look untouched, too.
REVOLUTION,REFORMATION, REVIVAL
pray…………….PREPARE…………PROCEED
creating more laws they refuse to enforce is useless!
Dave Maxwell for governor
Wasn’t it already illegal? You can’t tell me that before this passed, I could legally go camp on Delaney Park Strip.
What we have here are people who want to abuse drugs in front of children and think the rest of Anchorage should just mind their own business. My suggestion is to be functional drug users and rent apartments and abuse drugs in private, like the rest of us did back in the day. I never realized that homeless people could be so entitled! (I am not referring to the small percentage of homeless who are having a difficult time in their lives at the moment. Many have been there and I pray you find the help you need.)
“effectively criminalizes homelessness”. Let’s start at the beginning; this issue exploded when the Liberal Marxist Assembly shut down small businesses multiple times during CV-19. Those who were teetering, one car or rent payment away from the streets were unceremoniously dumped into insolvency (where’d the Federal relief funds go?). Next on the Marxist Agenda was to shut down Brother Francis shelter and Beans Cafe, which for decades successfully served the recidivist indigent “homeless”. Let’s return to the criminal aspect, despite the Marxist Assembly assertion that the indigent recidivist “homeless” are being criminalized (how myopically obtuse) the IRH
Now, Anchorage HAS an absolute criminal element: theft, drugs, arson, assault, murder, public forn/porn/feces/urine, and the list goes on & on. The extreme Left Assembly has foisted the problem upon the taxpayers, fails to accept their role in failing the IRH (you see, it’s about the money – not the people), and now claims society has made the lost people into criminals.
As I stand before you today, I’m reminded that homelessness can happen to anyone. I never thought I’d be in this situation, but life had other plans. I lost my job, and subsequently, my home, after my wife fell ill and I had to care for her. Now, I’m facing the very real possibility of being criminalized simply because I don’t have a place to live. I’m not a threat to society, I’m just someone who needs a chance to get back on my feet. Can’t we work together to create a more compassionate and supportive community, one that lifts people up rather than tearing them down?
It is important to maintain control of public property io games
You have a list of folks right here commenting who care, and there are lots more who haven’t seen this page or who have and didn’t comment who care. Obviously, the pressure on the fair board was significant enough to show that folks care. Catch the clue………….www.best.work43.com
Reopen mental institutions. That solves about half of the people being housed that have never been turned out in the the street to begin with. When they shut these hospitals down in the ‘ 80s n ’90s , it was WRONG. And no one has come back in to Fix it. It’s a shame that they’re treating ill people the same as junkies, drug addicts who don’t want or can’t get help.