The hard-left ACLU of Alaska is attempting to drum up opposition to a proposed ordinance that would ban illegal camping in parks and other public properties within the City of Palmer.
Introduced by Palmer City Council members Carolina Graver and Victoria Hudson, the ordinance aims to protect public safety and legal access to city facilities.
Palmer, like many areas across Alaska and throughout the nation, has seen a growing number of homeless camps and temporary shelters along city streets, parks and popular public areas.
The proposed ordinance, which is scheduled for public hearing on Oct. 14, aims to preserve the intended uses of these community spaces. If approved, it would ban unauthorized camping or sleeping with shelters, tarps or bedding on public property. This includes parks, streets, rights-of-way, public buildings, greenbelts and other municipal lands.
Exceptions include special authorized events and approved emergency accommodations.
Those who violate the proposed law would be subject to fines and immediate removal of all personal property.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
The ACLU, which has opposed similar efforts to address vagrancy and sprawling illegal encampments in Anchorage, claims the ordinance is “inhumane” because it penalizes people for falling asleep on public land.
The ACLU of Alaska Facebook page asserts that sleeping is “one of the most basic human needs,” and the group is attempting to get citizens to testify against the ordinance.
“Banning sleeping on public land will not reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness,” the ACLU claims. “Fining someone any amount of money to sleep is inhumane and unconstitutional.”
The ordinance, however, was written to comply with the 2024 U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling (City of Grants Pass v. Johnson), which acknowledges that cities have a right to prohibit conduct, not status (such as being homeless), so long as laws are written in a content-neutral manner that preserves public space for its intended uses.
TAKING ACTION
— Click here to submit comments online via the Palmer City Clerk or testify in person on Oct. 14, 6 p.m. at Palmer City Hall.
14 Comments
This isn’t a palmer plan. This was put forward by two hard-right people. It is grandstanding, this is not a problem in Palmer.
At what point will it be a problem for you, because it is a problem for many?
“…….this is not a problem in Palmer………”
It won’t be, either, because (as demonstrated) the Palmer city government is not going to tolerate it.
right. they just invented the problem out of thin air
just like magic
run along sunny
It’s a common law and has been used for years to keep riff-raff out of our communities. Vagrancy laws are nothing new. It was the practice of law enforcement when they came upon vagrants, to ask where do you live? If they said no where they were advise that they were in violation of the the State or Counties Vagrancy laws and they would need to be moving on before dark. If not they would be given a ride to the county line and out of our community with a stern warning that if they returned they would be arrested, jailed, and then they could explain it to the Judge. With the law and the disposition on the books it was a slam dunk sentence. The community was safe, and crime was very low. Until we enable Police to toughen up as we were from the 1950’s back we will have this problem. If you don’t work, you don’t eat, if you don’t work you can’t rent a shelter, and have utilities. Anyone can find work, but not every one can start as a Senior Executive, and there in lies the problem. In the 1960’s they Counties started the Welfare work program for men who were temporarily out of work. To get food stamps, keep their dignity, pay rent and such they were required to go out within their communities under the supervision of a County Work Supervisor. They developed parks, cleaned up the ditches along the roads of trash, developed playgrounds and other tasks that benefited the community. The men kept their dignity ( which used to mean something) and didn’t feel like they were getting a hand out , but a hand up. Many of these men learned new skills which helped them find a job. The “Hand up, not a Hand out” lasted for 6 months, which gave them time to find work on their own. It was not an endless hand out like we have now, where generations have come and gone on Welfare. Yes, both concepts were an excellent way to help people and maintain safety and a pleasant community. How do I know it works, my Dad was the Supervisor of the Counties Welfare Work Program.
This is not grand standing, it’s prudence. It’s becoming a problem and left unchecked it will become a big problem.
Correct, next they will be busing in homeless from Anchorage/Portland.
Is it currently legal to camp on public property in Palmer? I bet I would get fined for it. But these bums don’t have anything to lose. They don’t pay fines. Anchorage is building tiny houses to address rampant homelessness (I would wager someone is benefiting from that scheme)…spoiler alert–it will fail. The only viable solution is imprisonment.
So? Tell the ACLU to pound sand
the aclu commies could provide space in their yards for them to ” camp”.
yea thats what i thought.
I want to see the ACLU sued for infringing on the rights of majority for the rights of the few.
I want to see TRUMP et al sued for infringing on the rights of majority for the rights of the few.
Hate to tell you, but you are a minority with very big mouths. Quit whining. America is done with democrats. We’re tired of our tax money being spent on the world’s problems and paying for illegal’s welfare.
Why do people have to bring up Trump every time something goes against what they believe.